Minister Interior, Mr. Rehman Malik has hinted that cellular operators in Pakistan might be asked to suspend cellular services in major cities of the country during Eid-ul-Adha for security reasons.

Earlier, on directions of interior ministry, Pakistan Telecommunication Authority had issued directive to cellular companies to keep shutdown cellular services during Eid-ul-Fitar and Ishq-e-Rasool Day for similar reasons.

Cellular industry had protested these cellular shutdowns and had asked the government for compensation (valuing Rs. 1 billion), which was never entertained.

It merits mentioning here that cellular companies had lost Rs. 3.2 billion and Rs. 600 million during Eid-ul-Fitar and Ishq-e-Rasool day respectively during cellular service suspensions.

It maybe recalled that cellular usage and spending on communication service during Eid days remain 18-20 times higher than the usual days.

Analyst opine that suspension of cellular services is one of its kind practice in Pakistan, example of which is hard to find in the whole world, even in war stricken regions of Iraq or Afghanistan. They said that government’s this attitude will hurt investors’ trust and will surely impact upcoming 3G auction.