Pakistani police decrees mobile ban on New Year's Eve

Pakistani police will impose a ban on mobile phone services in Karachi on New Year's Eve to safeguard residents' lives and property following reports of a planned terrorist attack on the city.

The Express Tribune reported Sunday the police will initiate the city-wide ban from 5 p.m. on Dec. 31, 2012, to 5 a.m on Jan. 1, 2013. Carrying and firing of firearms are also prohibited, said Imran Shaukat, police spokesperson for Sindh. Karachi is the capital of the province of Sindh as well as the largest city in Pakistan.

Imran pointed out these measures would ensure the security of citizens' lives and property. Karachi residents should inform police of any violations and their names would be kept confidential, he added.

Sindh Inspector General of Police Fayyaz Ahmed Leghari said in a statement Saturday that all police departments need to create a comprehensive joint strategy to maintain law and order in the province on New Year's Eve, the report noted.

Last Friday the government of Karachi suddenly suspended mobile phone services for eight hours due to intelligence reports of a terrorist plan to carry out widespread target killings and trigger remote-controlled explosions, sources from the Sindh Home Ministry said in a Times of India report.

Mobile services were suspended between 10.30 a.m. and 6.30 p.m., and marked the fourth time this year that the Karachi government suspended cellular services.