Mobile Services Suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad for a Day

Mobile services have been suspended in Rawalpindi and Islamabad ahead of National Day to foil any terror threats.

(Photo:Reuters)

Pakistan on Monday suspended mobile phone services in the capital Islamabad and adjacent Rawalpindi for security reasons to foil attempts by terrorists to sabotage dress rehearsals ahead of Pakistan Day. The National Day will be celebrated on Wednesday with a grand parade by the armed forces in Islamabad.

Exhibition of major weapons and cultural activities are also a part of the celebration. As part of the tradition, a full rehearsal is carried out ahead of the parade. Officials said that phone services will remain suspended till Monday afternoon.

Stringent security measures are in place in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi to avoid any untoward incident on National Day. They also said the same rule will apply on 23 March when mobile phone services will be switched out.

The internet is also not working smoothly in some areas. Strict security measures have been put in place to deal with any threat by militants. The last parade was held on 23 March 2008 and reviewed by General Pervez Musharraf as a civilian president. It was later discontinued owing to security concerns.