Pakistan Blocks Cell Phone Service in 15 Cities

"Love for Prophet Muhammad" observance day is worrying security officials

ISLAMABAD, Pakistan, Sept. 21 (UPI) — The Pakistani government, after a day of violent protests over an anti-Islam film, Friday blocked mobile phone services in 15 cities.

The government had declared Friday a national holiday for Yaum-i-Ishq-i-Rasool –Love for Prophet Muhammad—observance, Pakistan's Dawn newspaper reported. The report said the decision to block mobile services until Friday evening was taken because of security risks that could arise from a number of religious rallies planned for the day.