KP govt to partially suspend mobile phone services on 9th, 10th Muharram

The Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa has decided to partially suspend mobile phone services in the province on the 9th and 10th of Muharram as part of security measures.

The provincial government has finalised a comprehensive security plan for Ashura processions and gatherings, under which cellular services will remain partially suspended in several areas, while complete shutdowns will be enforced in certain sensitive locations.

Security officials said the restrictions are aimed at maintaining law and order and preventing any untoward incidents during religious observances.

Authorities have declared around 400 imambargahs as sensitive or highly sensitive across the province. In addition, 286 processions have been categorised as highly sensitive, while 190 have been placed in the sensitive category.

In Peshawar, mobile phone services will remain partially suspended during the central procession on the 9th of Muharram, while the cantonment area will be completely sealed.

On the 10th of Muharram, security checkpoints and special protective cordons will be established at all entry and exit points of the city.

Walk-through gates will be installed around processions and imambargahs, while CCTV cameras will be used for continuous monitoring. Security forces will also conduct search operations in different areas.

The provincial government has set up a central control room at the Civil Secretariat to oversee security arrangements during Ashura, while monitoring and coordination centres have also been activated at deputy commissioners’ offices across all districts.