KARACHI: As part of heightened security protocols for the 8th of Muharram, mobile and internet services were partially suspended in several parts of Karachi on Friday, causing disruptions and inconvenience for residents.
According to a report, these service interruptions began early in the day and are expected to continue in areas designated as sensitive by law enforcement.
These zones include neighborhoods along the routes of Muharram processions, where communication restrictions have been imposed to enhance security.
Residents living near high-security areas reported difficulty in accessing mobile networks and internet services.
Authorities say these temporary blackouts are part of broader precautionary steps aimed at safeguarding religious gatherings and maintaining peace during the sacred month.
In Karachi, heavy security has been deployed along procession routes. Police and paramilitary Rangers have set up checkpoints to monitor movement and prevent any untoward incidents.
Federal Interior Minister Syed Mohsin Raza Naqvi has invoked Article 245 of the Constitution to authorize the deployment of Pakistan Army units across the country.
These forces are now stationed in all provinces, including Punjab, Sindh, Balochistan, and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, as well as in Islamabad, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan.
The deployment plan has been coordinated with provincial governments and local administrations. The number of army personnel assigned varies depending on the specific security needs of each region.
In Punjab alone, over 25,000 police personnel are on duty for Muharram security, with more than 2,600 officers deployed in Lahore, according to a police spokesperson.
To accommodate mourning activities and religious observances, the federal government has announced public holidays on Saturday and Sunday, July 5 and 6, 2025, marking the 9th and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram (1447 AH).
The Sindh government has also declared the same days as holidays, with all government and semi-government offices, local councils, and autonomous bodies closed across the province.