The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has finalised a comprehensive security plan for the observance of Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram) across the province, including suspension and partial suspension of mobile phone services in selected areas to ensure law and order.
Mobile Services Suspension and Security Classification
According to security officials, mobile phone services will be completely suspended in some sensitive areas, while partial restrictions will be imposed in other locations to prevent any untoward incidents during religious processions and gatherings. Authorities have declared 400 Imambargahs across the province as sensitive or highly sensitive. Similarly, 286 mourning processions have been classified as highly sensitive, while 190 others fall under the sensitive category.
Peshawar Security Arrangements
In Peshawar, strict security arrangements have been put in place, with mobile phone services to remain partially suspended during key events. The Cantonment area will be completely sealed during the central procession on the 9th of Muharram. On the 10th of Muharram, additional checkpoints and security cordons will be established at all entry and exit points of the city to strengthen monitoring and control. Walk-through gates will be installed along procession routes and at Imambargahs, while CCTV surveillance will be used for round-the-clock monitoring. Security forces will also conduct search and sweep operations in various parts of the province.
Market Closures and Monitoring
Officials said some markets in Peshawar’s inner city may be closed in phases, while monitoring of hotels, guest houses and residential buildings in sensitive areas will be intensified. Temporary closures of certain locations are also under consideration. To ensure coordination, a central control room has been set up at the Civil Secretariat, while district-level monitoring and coordination centres have also been activated in deputy commissioners’ offices across the province.
Sindh Government Declares Public Holidays
Meanwhile, the Sindh government has announced public holidays on the 9th and 10th of Muharram across the province, to be observed on June 25 and June 26.
