ISLAMABAD: Citing the fact that terrorists use motorcycles to conduct target killings and other terror related activities, Interior Minister Rehman Mailk declared that city wide bans on motorbikes will be imposed in Karachi and Quetta on Friday, Express News reported.



Announcing a number of security measures for first Muharram, Malik explained that the extreme steps were being taken in light of intelligence reports. The ban will remain in effect from 6 am to 7 pm on November 16.



The ministry also issued shoot at sight orders for those who are found involved in terrorist activities.



Malik further added that display of all kinds of weapons will be banned in Karachi.



He added that all platoons of FC will be on duty in Karachi on Friday.



Law enforcement agencies have been further directed to crackdown on vehicles plying without complete registration papers.



Cellular services to go down again



The government has decided in principle to suspend cell phone services in “some cities” after receiving intelligence reports that terrorists may attempt to target religious places in Karachi, Quetta and other sensitive areas, even as interior minister claimed a decision on the subject will be taken early on Friday morning.



The decision reportedly taken on the request of provincial governments on the eve of Moharram.



“Mobile phone services can also be suspended if needed,” Malik said. The minister added that the decision was made in light of terror threats in the mentioned cities.



“Decision to suspend cellular phone services was taken on the request of provincial governments,” added a senior official of the National Terrorism Counter Authority who corroborated the decision to implement a ban.



It is an attempt to ensure security in sensitive areas of Balochistan as well as to detect terrorists’ acts in Karachi, Quetta and other sensitive parts of the Federally Administered Tribal Areas and Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, officials said. The cellular service providers have also been directed to remain alert for shutting off services from November 23 to November 25, they added.



Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) is ready to act as receives directions from Interior Ministry to cut off cellular phone services, said a spokesperson of PTA. “PTA has been kept on alert beforehand so that action can be taken promptly. We can not disclose the certain areas and schedule or duration of cellular services suspension due to security reasons.”