Pakistani authorities today shut mobile services in Islamabad and the nearby garrison city of Rawalpindi over security concerns ahead of the arrival of Chinese Premier Li Keqiang here.
Li will arrive here today on a two-day visit after his official visit to India.
The state-owned Pakistan Telecommunication Authority has issued a formal notification to all cellular companies to shut the services until 1 p.m. local time.
Pakistani officials say that militants routinely use mobile phones for planning and implementing the attacks.
Security measures have been put in place along the main road from the Nur Khan military airbase near Islamabad and the Presidency, where the guest will have a meeting with President Asif Ali Zardari shortly after his arrival.
The authorities now regularly close down mobile services in view of threats and on occasion of some important days and events.
People say they are facing difficulties after the suspension of mobile services.