RAWALPINDI: The district administration of Rawalpindi has announced a public holiday on August 26 (Monday) in observance of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) Chehlum procession to facilitate the smooth conduct of the religious event.
According to the notification issued by the Rawalpindi district administration on Sunday, all government offices, public and private educational institutions, and various other establishments will remain closed on August 26. The closure will apply to schools and colleges in the Cantonment, City, Saddar, and District Rawalpindi areas. However, emergency services and essential departments will continue to operate as usual.
In preparation for the Chehlum procession, the Rawalpindi administration has mobilized significant resources. Nearly 4,400 police officers and 215 traffic police officials will be deployed to ensure security and manage traffic during the event.
Routes leading to the procession site will be closed starting from Sunday night to ensure safety and security. The Rawalpindi Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has postponed the matriculation exam scheduled for August 26 due to the holiday.
The Sindh government has also declared a holiday for all public and private schools across the province on August 26 in observance of Hazrat Imam Hussain’s Chehlum. Additionally, a ban on pillion riding has been imposed throughout Sindh, including Karachi, as part of enhanced security measures to prevent any potential incidents.
In Lahore, heightened security measures are in place for the main procession, with six Elite teams, 12 Police Response Unit (PRU) teams, and 17 Dolphin teams assigned to patrol the 11 entry points. Female police officers will be deployed to ensure the safety of women mourners, and snipers will be stationed on rooftops along the procession routes.
