Internet and cellular service will be suspended in several different areas between September 19 and 21 for security during Ashura.
The Sindh chief secretary forwarded his request to the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority to temporarily suspend the service for the duration of three days, because of Muharram-ul-Haram. As per the secretary, this is being done for security reasons, and will only be done in areas that feature the routes for religious processions.
The letter reads,
[Law enforcement agencies] have requested for suspension of cellular services including internet on 8th, 9th, 10th during Muharram-ul=Haram 1440 Hijri (2018) from 0700-2359 hours in different areas of Sindh as mentioned in the letter of Pakistan Rangers (Sindh) as there are apprehensions of coordination of criminal activity by miscreants/criminals through the use of cellular phones/internet during Muharram related Majlis and processions.
There’s no word on whether services will remain closed in other major cities of Pakistan, such as Islamabad, Lahore, Quetta, and Peshawar, but they are likely to get temporarily suspended when the ceremonies begin. Due to security reasons, cellular services are closed every year during Muharram, especially during processions.
The Sindh government has also sent notices to PTCL and the federal interior ministry to close down cellular services in some areas at different timings.