No mobile service in 21 district of Punjab on Muharram 9, 10

Lahore: The Punjab Home Department on Monday announced the suspension of mobile phone services in 21 districts of the province on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.

Ashura, a significant day in the Islamic calendar, will be observed in Pakistan on July 17 (Wednesday).

The suspension will affect sensitive areas in several cities such as Bahawalnagar, Bahawalpur, Muzaffargarh, DG Khan, Rahim Yar Khan, Layyah, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad, and Rajanpur along with other districts in upper Punjab.

However, mobile services will remain operational in Lahore, Kasur, Sheikhupura, Sialkot, Attock, Jhelum, Chakwal, Sargodha, Khushab, Chiniot, Multan, Khanewal, Vehari, Sahiwal, Okara, Pakpattan, and Lodhran.

Previously, the federal government approved the deployment of armed forces nationwide to ensure security during Muharram. This decision was made following requests from authorities in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir, seeking military assistance to maintain law and order.

The central government, under Article 245 of the Constitution, authorized the deployment of army and civil armed forces to ensure peace during this period.