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.