Pakistan Residents Slam Suspension Of Mobile Phone Services
The decision to suspend mobile phone services hit millions of people celebrating Eid on Sunday — it not only affected shopping sprees but paralysed everyday life, the residents of Pakistan’s four major cities complained on Monday.
Mobile phone services were put on hold on Sunday evening after the federal interior ministry decided to suspended the service to prevent any terrorist attacks on mass Eid congregations.
More than half a dozen phone companies suspended their services in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Quetta on the orders of Rahman Malek, the interior minister when families were out for Eid shopping.
“We were at the same shopping mall but my wife and kids were somewhere else and we could not catch up with each other till morning,” said Faisal Khan. “It freaked me out and ruined all the happiness of Eid as the experience was quite traumatic,” he said.
Millions of people also could not send Eid greetings to their friends and families. Almost 60 per cent of the country’s population now use mobile phones as they have become cheaper.
The decision to suspend the service came after intelligence reports indicated a terrorist attack possibly on shopping centres or on Eid congregations. The remote device could be used to detonate the bomb, the reported suspected.
However, people said that snatching away an essential service because of a vague threat was not a solution.
“It is certainly a weird action on the part of the government at the expense of millions of people who suffered at shopping centres, at hospitals, at varying locations,” said Nida Kirmani, a sociologist.
Malek apologised for the inconvenience caused. The services were not restored until Monday afternoon.
Meanwhile, Pakistani President Asif Ali Zardari and Prime Minister Raja Pervez Ashraf called on people to reject “extremist trends” and “negative propaganda of misguided elements” and promote the Islamic teaching of tolerance.
Zardari, in his message to the nation on Eid Al Fitr, said a society developed on such lines would be helpful in resolving the issues of extremism and violence, the Associated Press of Pakistan reported on Monday.
‘Hub of peace’
People need to shun hatred, animosity, greed and malice, and instead promote love and affinity, tolerance, generosity and endurance, Zardari said.
He said recent incidents of shootings by militants on buses, and other acts of sectarian violence were against the teachings of Islam.
Zardari said the terrorist attack in Kamra in Punjab province was foiled by the courage and valour of the country’s armed forces.
Ashraf also urged the nation to work towards making Pakistan “a hub of peace” by refraining from anti-social activities.
“Eid Al Fitr is a day of peace, tranquility and harmony. Let us resolve to dedicate ourselves to spend our energies and resources for the welfare of humanity in accordance with Islamic teachings,” Ashraf said.
Gulf News
