Govt shuts cellular Services on Ishq e rasool (PBUH) day

[third eye]

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How would this help ?, .. and to what avail ?not clear

Government shuts cellular services on Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day – The Express Tribune

The government blocked cellular services in Karachi early on Friday morning, ahead of Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day.

Mobile networks went down at approximately 2:45am in Karachi and are said to be restored by 11pm, today.

One user, Moiz Kazmi posted on facebook at around 3am “Ufone is gone! Kindly contact me on Facebook inbox or wall until the service resumes!” urging his acquaintances to try and reach him via the internet after the phone networks went off.

Earlier, the government had mulled ordering the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) to suspend cellular services in some sensitive areas to foil attempted terrorist attacks on Ishq-e-Rasool (pbuh) day, said officials associated with the interior ministry. Cellular services were likely to be suspended in Karachi, Lahore, Multan, some areas of Balochistan, Peshawar and areas surrounding the diplomatic enclave inIslamabad, the officials added.

Reports of the networks being switched off were received from Islamabad and Lahore.

On Thursday evening, Interior Minister Rehman Malik said “the government has not yet decided to block cellular services.”

A senior official of PTA, however, said they have been directed by the interior ministry to stay alert to implement the order of suspending cellular services.

Earlier in August, the Interior Ministry had shut cellular services in major shopping districts of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad in anticipation of terrorist attacks. That shut off had lasted almost 15 hours.

[WebMaster]

I believe it has a lot to do with assisting security forces for any violence. It helps i guess, that is why such bans continue...

[Shardul.....the lion]

It definitely helps in preventing rumors and sudden crowding/attack by mob (spread by bulk sms to gather at particular area at particular time).

[third eye]

It definitely helps in preventing rumors and sudden crowding/attack by mob (spread by bulk sms to gather at particular area at particular time).

Valid point

[KRAIT]

Until alternative mechanism is found, I don't find any problem with these types of steps. Isn't there enough violence spreading in Pakistan considering regular bomb blasts, terrorist attacks ? Instead of taking chances if such steps are taken to ensure security of people or to avoid spreading of rumor, no one should have problem.

Should it be the permanent solution, No, but should it be used on particular days, why not.

If you guys don't remember is that the spread of those doctored pictures stopped in India and the exodus/riots stopped as the rumor died out by actions of government.

I would suggest interested people to look at Dynamics of Rumor Spreading.

[SamranAli]

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thanks at least not in Gujrat.