Cellular phone services will remain suspended in many parts of Pakistan on Tuesday as the government beefed up security arrangements ahead of Rabi-ul-Awwal, the Birthday of the Holy Prophet Mohammad.

Hundreds and thousands of Muslims will celebrate and take out processions and hold special prayers when Rabi-ul-Awwal will be observed throughout the country. 

The provincial governments of Sindh and Balochistan have announced that cellular phone services will remain suspended from early morning to late night while a ban has already been imposed on pillon riding in Karachi and Quetta.

The government on advice of security agencies and law enforcement agencies have made it a practice to suspend mobile phone services on days when major religious congregations and events are held.

A security official said such measures were necessary as intelligence agencies had information about possible attacks on religious processions and congregations.