Security has been tightened in Pakistan ahead of the observance of Chehlum or the 40th day after Ashura by Shia Muslims as army was deployed and mobile phone services were to remain suspended in many cities tomorrow.
The decision has been taken in view of security threat to Muharram Chehlum processions particularly in the major cities like Karachi, Hyderabad, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Multan, Peshawar and Quetta.
"They are credible reports that extremist elements will try to carry out attacks on these processions or at the Imambargah's," an official said.
Shia Muslims and their top leaders have faced terrorist attacks regularly in major cities from extremist groups.
The Sindh government has announced cellular services will remain suspended from 7 in the morning to 10 in the night.
The army was seen in many parts of Karachi tonight after the provincial government requested their deployment. Pillion riding on motorcycles has also been banned tomorrow.
At least eight people were killed on Ashura, the 10th of Muharram, in Rawalpindi when two groups clashed during a procession.
In Karachi also in December, 2009, a suicide bomb attack on a Ashura procession killed atleast 40 people.
