Mobile Phone Services to Be Suspended in KP on Muharram 9 and 10 for Ashura Security

The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) government has put into place a sweeping and multi-layered security framework ahead of the observance of Ashura on the 9th and 10th of Muharram, with mobile phone services set to be suspended across selected areas of the province as a core component of the enhanced safety measures.

According to senior security officials, complete mobile service blackouts will be enforced in certain designated areas, while partial restrictions on cellular connectivity will be applied in other locations identified as sensitive — all aimed at maintaining public order and preventing any untoward incidents during these deeply significant religious observances.

Hundreds of Sites and Processions Flagged as High-Risk

Authorities have classified a total of 400 Imambargahs across the province as either sensitive or highly sensitive, reflecting the scale of the security challenge. In addition, 286 mourning processions have been categorised as highly sensitive, while a further 190 processions have been placed under the sensitive category — bringing the total number of closely monitored events to 476 across Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

Peshawar on Lockdown Mode for Central Procession

In the provincial capital Peshawar, authorities have rolled out particularly stringent arrangements. Mobile phone services will be partially suspended throughout the city, and the Cantonment area will be completely sealed during the central procession on the 9th of Muharram. As the observance moves into the 10th of Muharram, enhanced security checkpoints and dedicated security cordons will be established at every major entry and exit point across the city.

Walk-through gates are to be installed along all procession routes and at Imambargahs, while an extensive network of CCTV cameras will provide round-the-clock surveillance throughout the sensitive period. Security forces have additionally been tasked with conducting thorough search and sweep operations in various parts of the province.

Markets, Hotels and Residential Facilities Under Watch

Sources further revealed that select markets in Peshawar’s inner city may be closed in phases as part of the broader security implementation plan. Authorities will also intensify monitoring of hotels, guest houses, and residential facilities located in sensitive zones, while temporary closures of certain establishments remain under active consideration.

Central Control Room Activated

To ensure seamless coordination across the province, the KP provincial government has established a central control room at the Civil Secretariat, dedicated to monitoring all security arrangements during Ashura. Monitoring and coordination centres have also been activated in the offices of deputy commissioners across all districts of the province, ensuring real-time response capability at every administrative level.

Sindh Declares Public Holidays

Meanwhile, the Sindh government has formally announced public holidays on the 9th and 10th of Muharram — falling on June 25 and June 26 respectively — across the province, in line with the religious significance of the occasion.