ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan on Tuesday announced a two-day public holiday on the 9th and 10th of Muharram.
A notification issued by the Cabinet Division stated, that Prime Minister has approved the two days -16th and 17th July- as public holidays for Ashura.
“[…] the Prime Minister is pleased to declare 16th and 17th July 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1446 AH),” read the notification.
Ashura will be observed on July 17 (Wednesday), with Muslims globally commemorating the religious occasion with grief and sorrow.
In preparation for Muharram, the federal government has approved the deployment of armed forces across the nation to maintain security.
This decision follows requests from authorities in Sindh, Balochistan, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa, Islamabad, Gilgit-Baltistan, and Azad Jammu and Kashmir to deploy military personnel to manage law and order.
Under Article 245 of the Constitution, the Centre has authorized the “deployment of army troops/assets and civil armed forces troops/assets” to uphold peace.
The Ministry of Interior clarified that army deployment will be contingent upon the prevailing ground situation, with provincial authorities empowered to determine deployment locations.
Orders from the federal Ministry of Interior specify that the armed forces will assist the civil administration during this period.
