Mobile Phone Services to be Suspended in Selected Areas on 9th and 10th Muharram
The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalized a comprehensive security plan for Ashura, covering the 9th and 10th of Muharram, with strict measures in place across the province to ensure peace and safety during religious observances. As part of the enhanced security arrangements, mobile phone services will be suspended in selected areas, while partial restrictions will be enforced in other sensitive locations to maintain law and order and prevent any untoward incidents.
According to security officials, around 400 Imambargahs across the province have been declared sensitive or highly sensitive, reflecting the need for increased vigilance. In addition, 286 mourning processions have been categorized as highly sensitive, while another 190 have been placed in the sensitive category, prompting authorities to deploy additional security resources and monitoring mechanisms.
In Peshawar, special security measures have been implemented, including partial suspension of mobile phone services and the complete sealing of the Cantonment area during the central procession on the 9th of Muharram. On the 10th of Muharram, strict entry and exit controls will be enforced with enhanced checkpoints and dedicated security cordons across the city to ensure smooth procession management and public safety.
Security arrangements also include the installation of walk-through gates along procession routes and at Imambargahs, along with continuous monitoring through CCTV cameras. Law enforcement agencies will conduct search and sweep operations in various parts of the province to identify and neutralize any potential threats ahead of the events.
Authorities have indicated that some markets in Peshawar’s inner city may be closed in phases as part of precautionary measures, while monitoring of hotels, guest houses, and residential facilities in sensitive areas will be intensified. Temporary closures of certain locations are also under consideration to further strengthen security.
To ensure effective coordination, the provincial government has established a central control room at the Civil Secretariat to oversee all security arrangements during Ashura. Monitoring and coordination centres have also been activated at the offices of deputy commissioners across all districts, enabling real-time communication and rapid response.
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has announced public holidays on the 9th and 10th of Muharram across the province. According to an official notification, the holidays will be observed on June 25 and June 26, allowing citizens to participate in religious observances with convenience and safety.
These comprehensive security measures reflect the government’s commitment to maintaining peace, ensuring public safety, and facilitating smooth observance of Ashura across the country.