Mobile services restored in Pakistan

Islamabad, Aug 20 (IANS) Mobile phone services, which were suspended in Pakistan ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr to thwart possible terror attacks on markets and congregations, were restored Monday after a 14-hour blackout.

Service providers, following orders of the interior ministry, had pulled the plug on the mobile phone networks in Karachi, Lahore, Multan and Quetta at 8 p.m. Sunday, Geo News reported.

Interior Minister Rehman Malik said mobiles phones were being used for blasts, and that was why services in Karachi were suspended as a precautionary measure.

Xinhua said a high-level meeting took place Sunday, where it was decided to block the services to prevent possible attacks on congregations during Eid.

Officials were of the opinion that militants always use mobile phones to receive instructions. A mobile phone was found with militants involved in Thursday's attack on the Kamra airbase.

Heavily armed gunmen stormed the Kamra airbase in Punjab province Thursday. An intense gunfight broke out between the militants and security personnel in Attock district, considered one of the areas where Pakistan stores its nuclear arsenal. Nine militants and one soldier were killed.