Eid Miladun Nabi: Cellular services restored in Pakistan

Services restored in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, Hyderabad, DG Khan, Quetta among other areas. Pillion riding ban lifted.

Cellular services started resuming in Pakistan on Friday evening after they were blocked during the day for security reasons on account of Eid Miladun Nabi, reported Express News.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) had announced the suspension of mobile phone services in 27 cities and towns of Punjab on the occasion of Eid Miladun Nabi on Friday from 10am to 8pm.

These cities and towns in Punjab included Lahore, Shaikhapura, Nankana, Sangla Hill, Shangla Hills, Gujranwala, Sialkot, Narowal, Shakar Gard, Zafar Wal, Rawalpindi, Attock, Jehlum, Chakwal, Multan, Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah, Bahawalpur, Jhang, Chiniot.

In Sindh, Karachi, Hyderabad, Sukkur, Larkana, Nausheroferoz and Mirpurkhas also went off the grid. Sindh Adviser to the Home Ministry Sharfuddin Memon had announced that mobile phones would not work from 10am to 5pm in Karachi on Friday. There was no service in Quetta as well.

The suspension of mobile services to avert terror attacks has become a norm in Pakistan, with services being banned during all crucial religious and political events. According to the interior minister, cell phones are being used by terrorists to trigger bombs.

Pillion riding ban lifted

A bar on pillion riding in designated cities has also been lifted.

The ban came into effect from 8 am in various cities on account of Eid Miladun Nabi.