Lahore: Punjab Minister of Punjab, Azma Bokhari, said Thursday that the decision on the suspension of cellular services during Muharram would be announced at the “eleventh hour”.
Addressing the media in Lahore concerning the arrangements for Muhrram-UL-Haram, Bokhari recalled that mobile services were not suspended through Punjab during Muharram last year, although the option could be used in particular along the mourning process this time.
However, she said that it would be premature to make a conclusive declaration at this stage.
The Minister said that the chief minister would make a final decision on the issue when the time comes, after examining reports on the security conditions in force.
Meanwhile, Bokhari has also confirmed that article 144 is currently implemented throughout the province, to maintain law and order and prevent sectarian disorders. To a question, she declared that a decision on the ban on riding will also be shared with the media.
Earlier in the day, the Minister of the Interior, Mohin Naqvi, said that the decision to suspend mobile or internet telephone services during Muharram will be taken in consultation with the provinces.
He declared this by presiding over a meeting to examine the national security plan before the religious month. The meeting examined the security preparations for Muharram in all the provinces, Azad Jammu and Cashmire (AJK), Gilgit-Baltistan (GB) and the Federal capital, Islamabad. The authorities have agreed that strict measures would be taken against individuals distributing religious hatred on social media platforms.
Naqvi said that all necessary measures and decisions related to the security of Muharram would be undertaken by a mutual consultation. He said the federal government would provide total support to maintain peace during the religious month.
On the other hand, the Central Committee of Rue-E-Hilal will meet today in Quetta for having seen the Crescent of Muharram 1447 Hijri.
The chairman of the committee, Moulana Abdul Khabir Azad, will chair the meeting.
While the meetings of the Zonal and District RUT-E-Hilal committees will also be held simultaneously at their respective headquarters.
