Pakistan suspends cell phone services for fear of terrorist violence

Cell phone services in most parts of Pakistan have been discontinued for two days beginning Saturday as the government fears terrorists might use the devices to explode bombs and attack Muharram processions by Shias.

Interior minister Rehman Malik said that all the blasts that occurred over the past fortnight were mobile-phone based. Several Pakistani cities have seen terror attacks in recent days, with Muharram processions being targetted.

Traditional rivalry between Shias and Sunnis has racked Pakistan for several years, resulting in violence especially during Muharram. On Sunday, Pakistani Shias will be observing the Ashura (or tenth day of the month of Muharram), commemorating the death of Imam Hussein, the grandson of Prophet Muhammad. The mourning on Ashura also marks the battle of Karbala, when Hussein was killed.

Malik first ordered the suspension of cell phone services on Eid in August, a move that was roundly criticised. However, it proved to be an effective tool in reducing the number of suicide bombings and the use of improvised explosive devices (IEDs).

This time Malik cited the requests from provincial governments, which have sought a complete suspension of mobile phone services. Consequently, services in 50 major cities and much of the rest of the nation have been suspended on Saturday and Sunday.

Following the series of suicide bombings, the government has already imposed a blanket ban on motorcycles in Hyderabad and Quetta for three days. Pillion riding has also been banned across the country for fear that terrorists might fire upon people in processions.