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),” stated a notification from the Cabinet Division.
Muslims worldwide will observe this religious event with solemnity and mourning.
To ensure security during Muharram, the government has approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) across the country. According to the Interior Ministry’s notification, the specifics of troop deployment will be coordinated with relevant authorities, including the governments of Gilgit-Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad.
The notification further stated: “The date for withdrawing the deployment will be determined later through mutual consultation among all stakeholders.”
Provincial governments, including Punjab, have requested the federal government to suspend social media platforms for one week to prevent the spread of hateful content online.
However, the federal government has not yet decided to suspend internet services during Muharram. Any decision in this regard will be made in consultation with the provinces, as stated by the Ministry of Interior earlier today.
