District administrations in all provinces have declared a public holiday for educational institutions to worship the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain, commemorating the martyrs of Karbala.
This holiday will be held on Monday, August 26 and will be applicable to all schools, colleges and universities under the jurisdiction of Rawalpindi, Lahore and Karachi Municipal Corporation. An official notification confirms that all educational institutions will remain closed on this day due to Chehlu processions and related activities.
In Karachi, the Sindh Education Department also issued a notification declaring August 26 as a public holiday. This holiday will be held in public and private schools across the city. The decision to close educational institutions was taken to facilitate the ceremonies at Khehlum, ensure public participation and ease the expected traffic and security problems in the areas where the processions will be held.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government on August 23 declared Monday, August 26, 2024 as a public holiday for Lahore district to celebrate the 981st annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA). The notification was issued by the Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing). All government offices in Lahore, except the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its affiliated departments and regional offices, will observe this public holiday at the district level.
The annual three-day Urs festival in honor of the revered saint Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri will be held from August 24 to 26. The Auqaf department was given Rs 13.5 million for elaborate langar preparations for visitors and other functions. The special security measures announced by the secretary include setting up 144 security and closed-circuit cameras, setting up a separate control room and installing 18 LCD screens to ensure the safety of pilgrims by the police department.
