Cellular services suspended in Quetta

Provincial government requested the measure, sources say.

QUETTA:

In order to pre-empt the possibility of a terrorist attack in Quetta, cellular services were suspended from 1pm till late night on Friday on the directives of Interior Minister Rehman Malik.

Sources close to the Home Department said that the provincial government had requested the measure and as a consequence both cellular services and wireless services were temporarily suspended.

A notification has also been issued from the provincial Home Department that the provincial government has banned motorcycles on the 9th of Muharram from 9am to 6pm and a blanket ban on the 10th of Muharram.

Stringent security measures

Strict security arrangements were also put in place in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan on Friday.

A meeting to review the law and order situation was also held with Home Secretary Balochistan, Captain (Retd) Akbar Hussain Durrani in the chair.

Durrani said that everyone should work together to curb terrorism and eliminate anti-social elements.

He added that it was the responsibility of the government to ensure the safety of the lives and property of the citizens and said strict action would be taken against those who challenge the writ of the government.

He stressed upon law enforcement agencies to boost coordination and swap information with each other to provide better and foolproof security to the people.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 24^th, 2012.