Due to the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), the Sindh government declared on Sunday that cellular services would be suspended in all major cities within the province, including Karachi, starting today, Monday.

As part of increased security measures, mobile services would be discontinued in cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Larkana, Sukkur, and Khairpur, according to Sindh Home Minister Ziaul Hasan Lanjar.

He also stated that security forces will be on high alert, and that aerial surveillance will be conducted over mourning processions to ensure law and order.

The Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) also issued a statement, saying that voice and data service will remain suspended in Karachi and other cities of Sindh including Khairpur, Hyderabad Larkana, Sukkur and Shikarpur today on the directions of interior ministry. 

Two days ago, the provincial government also announced a holiday for all public and private schools across the province because of the Chehlum of Karbala martyrs.

Meantime, a ban on pillion riding has also been imposed across the province, including Karachi, as part of security measures to avoid any untoward incident on the occasion.

Rawalpindi’s local administration earlier today announced a public holiday in the city today on account of Chehlum.

Meanwhile, the Rawalpindi police issued a security plan for seven processions for Chehlum appearing from different Imambargahs of the city.

SSP Operations Hafiz Kamran Asghar said that over 4,400 security personnel and officers will stand guard around the city with 215 others regulating the flow of vehicular traffic.