Youm-e-Ali (RA): Mobile phone services suspended, security on high alert in Pakistan

KARACHI: Strict security arrangements have been made across the country in view of Youm-e-Ali (RA).

Mobile phone services will remain suspended as part of security arrangements in major cities of the country.

In Karachi, mobile phone services would remain suspended till 11:00 am.

The decision was taken following the city police chief’s recommendation to the Sindh Home Department in view of threats of terrorism.

According to a spokesman for the Karachi police, intelligence agencies have warned the police about the possibility of terrorists using mobile phones to trigger improvised explosive devices (IEDs) to attack Youm-e-Ali (RA) processions.

Acting on the intelligence agencies’ warning, Karachi police chief Ghulam Qadir Thebo had suggested the home department to shut down mobile phone services from 4am to 11pm.

Pillion riding was already banned for three days in Karachi as well as other cities of the province as part of the security measures.

As part of the security arrangements made for Yaum-e-Ali (RA) and to protect the main procession, all entry and exit points along the route of the processions have been sealed by placing containers.

Thebo had announced earlier that over 16,000 police officials in addition to Rangers soldiers would be deployed in the city for the security of the procession while sharpshooters would be deployed at the rooftops of the tallest buildings along the route of the procession.

With the help of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s Local Taxes Department, the Karachi police have removed the signboards of the shops along the route of the Youm-e-Ali (RA) procession because the law enforcement agencies feared that IEDs could be concealed in these signboards to target the procession.

Security has also been beefed up in Sukkur and Hyderabad. Mobile phone services will also remain suspended in different parts of Punjab. 5000 policemen will be deployed on the route of the main procession in the provincial capital.

Mobile phone services will be shut in Sargodha, Muzaffargarh, Jehlum and Narowal. Strict security arrangements have also been made in Quetta and Peshawar in view of Youm-e-Ali (RA)