Mobile phone services to be suspended in parts of Islamabad

Pakistan government has ordered suspension of mobile phone services and wireless Internet services in several parts of Islamabad for an indefinite period, ahead of two major anti-government rallies here.
A spokesman of the Pakistan Telecommunications Authority (PTA) said mobile phone services may remain suspended in several parts of Pakistan's capital for up to the next three days.
"The interior ministry has issued directions to suspend mobile phone and wireless services," PTA spokesperson Khurram Mehran was quoted as saying by Dawn newspaper.
He said that wireless Internet services will also be suspended ahead of the anti-government rallies scheduled on August 14, Pakistan's Independence Day.

A source from the telecommunications sector said they received directions from PTA to suspend mobile phone services in separate parts of Punjab, and that they will be notified at intervals to block signals at junctions where the protesters are heading.
Cellular services have already been shut down in some parts of the city.