Due to security concerns during the Ashura processions, authorities have decided to suspend mobile phone services in Peshawar, the capital of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, on Muharram 9 and 10.
Maintaining a law and order situation during the Ashura holidays is a very demanding task for the government.
Peshawar’s Capital City Police Officer Qasim Ali informed a private news station that mobile phone signals will be stopped for two days to provide perfect security during this time.
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This decision will assist the security institutions to carry out their plan of security with accuracy and efficiency.
He stated that the decision was made to prevent any untoward occurrences during these days, when processions and special gatherings are held throughout Pakistan, including Peshawar, to remember the death of Hazrat Imam Hussain.
Processions with large numbers of people are an easy task for a terrorist to carry out their task. With suspended mobile services they will be unable to communicate with each other.
Meanwhile, the federal administration has declared public holidays for Muharram 9 and 19 (July 16 and 17) in commemoration of Ashura 2024.
The government has issued a notification about this matter. The new Hijri year 1446 began on Monday, July 8.
The conference in Quetta was attended by members of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, as well as representatives from the Ministries of Religious Affairs, Meteorology, SUPARCO, and Science and Technology.
The provincial and district moon sighting committees met simultaneously at their respective offices.