Ban on cellphone service: In Pindi, mobile services remained functional in some areas
The suspension of cellular service in most localities in the garrison city on Saturday created difficulties for people, especially those who were travelling.
Samina, whose family was coming from Lahore to Rawalpindi by train, was desperate to make contact with them. “The train was supposed to reach at 2pm but it did not and railway officials would not tell the exact time of arrival,” she said over internet.
Residents of localities where cellular service was suspended lashed out at Interior Minister Rehman Malik for depriving them of mobile communication instead of taking other security measures for Ashura.
Ali, an engineer, said, “Nowadays mobile phones have become an essential part of everybody’s life; life comes to a standstill without them.”
He added that the suspension of mobile services to control terrorism is not the solution. “Terrorist activities have already created panic and stress among people, and depriving us of cellular services makes the situation worse,” he said.
Malik had ordered suspension of cellular service in the garrison city at around 1:30pm. He had given cellular operators half an hour to comply.
However, the service continued to remain available in some localities and suburban areas, including Mohri village, Industrial Area, DHA, Bahria Town, Kahuta Road, Model Town, Humak, Adiala Road, Gulshan Abad, Gulshan Abad Extension, Askari 14, Cooperative Housing Society, Kalri and Kalyal villages, Rehman Markaz, Iqbal Road, Committee Chowk, Raja Bazaar, Dingi Khoee, Jamia Masjid Road and Dhoke Khabba.
Later, Malik took notice of the fact that mobile phones were functional in certain areas in violation of government orders. He ordered the agencies to investigate the matter and suspend the service immediately. The interior minister also directed the Federal Investigation Agency to keep the mobile towers “under strict vigilance”.
*With additional input from PPI
Published in The Express Tribune, November 25th, 2012.
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