The district administration of Islamabad has announced a public holiday on August 13 in connection with Independence Day celebrations. A formal notification issued by the Deputy Commissioner states that all government and private offices in the federal capital will remain closed on that day.
This year, there is a possibility of four consecutive holidays across the country for Independence Day. According to a notification from the Cabinet Division, Thursday, August 14, will be a public holiday in observance of Pakistan’s Independence Day. The following day, Friday, August 15, marks Chehlum of Imam Hussain (RA). While Chehlum is not a federal public holiday, it is observed as a local holiday in some provinces. Last year, for instance, public holidays were declared in Rawalpindi and Karachi for Chehlum.
Reports suggest that certain areas may once again observe a holiday on August 15 this year. If this happens, specific regions will see a stretch of holidays from Thursday, August 14, to Sunday, August 17. Authorities have instructed strict security measures to ensure peace and order during both Independence Day and Chehlum.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, the summer vacation period for schools has been extended. Provincial Education Minister Rana Sikandar Hayat announced that both public and private schools across the province will now reopen on September 1 instead of August 14. Previously, the summer vacation was scheduled to end on August 14, but the provincial government decided to extend it due to prevailing weather conditions.
