Muharram preparations: City administration seeks cellular service suspension

Security of churches also to be revised

ISLAMABAD:

The capital’s administration has requested the interior ministry to suspend cellular services in areas where processions will be held on the 9th of Muharram, a senior official revealed on Tuesday.

The request was sent by Deputy Commissioner (DC) Capt (retd) Mushtaq Ahmed to the interior ministry requesting to suspend cellular services in sectors G-6/2 and G-7/2, where the main Muharram processions will pass through.

On the 9th, the main procession will start from Markazi Imambargah Isna Ashri, G-6/2, and conclude at the same destination after passing through its designated routes.

A senior official of the Islamabad Capital Territory Administration said the request was sent citing security concerns.

When asked about the inconvenience the suspension will cause residents of the affected sectors, the official said the country was facing a war-like situation and that the administration could not take any risks.

“There is no harm if cellular services are suspended during the time of the processions,” he added.

Islamabad police have already chalked out a compressive security plan in the capital, with over 10,000 officers to be deputed during the processions’ security.

Similarly, the administration also decided in a meeting to revise security arrangements for churches in the capital.

The decision was taken during a meeting chaired by the DC, and attended by pastors of different churches along with SSP Operations Sajid Kiani.

It was decided at the meeting to revise security through the special branch of the police in coordination with church representatives.

Published in The Express Tribune, October 21^st, 2015.