District administrations across various provinces have declared a public holiday for educational institutions on Monday, August 26, in observance of the chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain, honoring the martyrs of Karbala. This holiday will affect all schools, colleges, and universities within the municipal areas of Rawalpindi, Lahore, and Karachi.
The official notification confirms the closure of all educational institutions due to chehlum processions and related activities. In Karachi, the Sindh Education Department has also announced a public holiday for both government and private schools on August 26, to accommodate the observance of the chehlum and to manage traffic and security concerns in procession areas.
Additionally, the Punjab government declared a public holiday for Lahore district on August 26 in celebration of the 981st Annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA). The Services and General Administration Department issued a notification stating that all government offices in Lahore, except for the Punjab Civil Secretariat and its Attached Departments, will observe this holiday. The three-day Urs festival will take place from August 24 to 26, with the Auqaf Department allocating Rs13.5 million for langar and other activities. Special security measures include the installation of 144 security cameras, a control room, and 18 LCD screens to ensure the safety of pilgrims.
