Mobile and Internet Services Partially Suspended in Karachi

In light of enhanced security measures for the 8th of Muharram, mobile phone and internet services were partially suspended in several areas of Karachi on Friday, causing widespread inconvenience for residents.

According to 24NewsHD TV, the service disruptions began early in the day and are expected to persist, particularly in zones marked as sensitive by law enforcement due to the ongoing Muharram processions.

Connectivity issues have been reported in areas close to high-security zones, where authorities have imposed partial communication blackouts to safeguard religious events.

These preventative actions are part of a broader strategy to ensure the safety of participants in mourning processions and religious gatherings during the sacred month of Muharram.

In Karachi, law enforcement agencies, including the police and Rangers, have been stationed along the procession routes. Security checkpoints have been set up to monitor movement and deter any potential threats.

Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has formally issued orders under Article 245 of the Constitution, authorizing the deployment of Pakistan Army personnel across the country. The forces will be stationed in provinces including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.

The deployment, coordinated with provincial governments and local administrations, is part of a national plan to maintain peace and security during Muharram. The number of troops deployed will be tailored to the specific requirements of each area.

In Punjab alone, more than 25,000 police officers have been deployed, with over 2,600 assigned specifically to Lahore, according to a police spokesperson.

To facilitate religious observances, the federal government has declared public holidays on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, 2025, corresponding to the 9th and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram (1447 AH). The Sindh government has also followed suit, announcing a province-wide closure of all government and semi-government institutions, including local councils and autonomous departments.