Alarmed by the recent terror attacks on Shia processions by Taliban, Pakistan today shut down the mobile phone network in Karachi, Quetta and some other cities as a part of security measures for this weekend, which is the climax of the holy month of Muharram.

Mobile phone services and even wireless phone networks of the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority were suspended since 1 pm today in Karachi, Quetta and some other parts of the country including two sectors in capital, Islamabad.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik also announced more curbs for Saturday and Sunday, the 9th and 10th of Muharram, saying that they had also received requests from the Punjab province to suspend mobile phone services in 14 major cities and towns including Lahore, Rawalpindi, Faisalabad and Multan.