ISLAMABAD, Pakistan: Mobile phone services continued to remain suspended on Monday morning in Red Zone and surrounding areas of Islamabad while the ongoing pro-Mumtaz Qadri protest might be the possible reason behind suspension of cellular services.
Various mobile phone companies especially Ufone suspended their services in the Federal Capital without any prior notice which led to cause customers face problems in connecting their relatives or friends etc.
Though the main reason behind the suspension was yet to be ascertained but the violent protest which erupted in Islamabad on Sunday was likely to be behind the government’s decision to suspend mobile phone services.
In addition, people are also suffering problems to reach their respective destinations due to various roads having been blocked for security concerns and to tackle the demonstration.
On Sunday, a large number of people carried out a rally towards Parliament House in Islamabad to mark the Chehlum of Mumtaz Qadir, a former Punjab Elite Force Commando who was hanged to death on February 29 for killing the former Punjab Governor Salmeen Taseer.
However, the clashes broke out as the March participants entered the Red Zone area and also damaged public properties including the Metro Bus Station. In the meantime, injuries took place from both sides – protesters and law enforcement agencies personnel. Even the government had to call in Pakistan army to control the situation and protect main public institutions including the Parliament House.
The protest-turned sit-in led by Sunni Tehreek (ST) and Tehreek-i-Labbaik Ya Rasool (SAW) still continues in front of the Parliament House.
The sit-in participants asked the government to fulfill their 10 demands which include implementation of Shariah in the country, unconditional release of all Sunni clerics and leaders booked on various charges including terrorism and murder, the recognition of Mumtaz Qadri as a martyr, the conversion of his Adiala Jail cell into a national heritage site, assurances that the blasphemy laws will not be amended, the removal of Ahmadis and other non-Muslims from key posts, and the execution of blasphemy accused Aasia Bibi.
Note: This is a developing Story
