Ashura: Pakistan declares two-day public holidays for Muharram observance

The federal government has announced two-day public holidays for Ashura across Pakistan on June 25 and 26 to observe the 9th and 10th of Muharram-ul-Haram, 1448 A.H. The decision aligns national arrangements with religious observance and ensures public participation in mourning events.

The Cabinet Secretariat confirmed the decision after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the holidays, which fall on Thursday and Friday. A notification was issued by the Cabinet Division and circulated to all ministries, provincial governments, and relevant departments to ensure implementation. In Sindh, authorities also declared province-wide holidays on the same dates, and all government offices, autonomous bodies, and local councils will remain closed except for essential services. The decision was widely shared through official communication channels, including the Sindh Information Department’s social media platform.

Muharram is observed as a month of mourning in the Islamic calendar. It commemorates the Battle of Karbala in 680 AD, where Imam Hussain (RA), the grandson of Prophet Muhammad (PBUH), and his companions were martyred under tragic circumstances.