KARACHI: The Sindh government has declared Saturday, August 9, a public holiday to commemorate the 282nd annual Urs of the revered Sufi saint, Hazrat Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai. The three-day Urs festivities will kick off on Saturday at Bhittai’s shrine located in Bhit Shah, drawing thousands of devotees, scholars, and admirers from across Pakistan.
Sindh’s Secretary for Culture, Muhammad Khan Kloro, confirmed that preparations for the spiritual and cultural event are nearing completion, with all arrangements in place to ensure its smooth conduct. An official notification from the provincial government has been issued to confirm the holiday.
The Minister for Culture has formally extended an invitation to Sindh Governor Kamran Tessori to inaugurate the Urs, which is among the most significant events in Sindh. The celebrations will feature traditional Sufi music, poetry sessions, literary discussions, and prayers all dedicated to celebrating Bhittai’s enduring message of peace, love, and tolerance.
To ensure the event remains peaceful, authorities have heightened security measures, with all relevant departments on high alert. Additionally, the Deputy Commissioner of Hyderabad has enforced a ban on the display of weapons during the festivities.Looking ahead, the federal government revealed its list of public holidays for 2025 in December 2024, announcing a total of 16 holidays nationwide. The schedule includes key national days such as Kashmir Day on February 5, Pakistan Day on March 23, and Independence Day on August 14. Religious observances like Eid ul-Fitr and Eid ul-Adha will each be granted three days of holiday.
Other notable holidays include Labour Day on May 1, Yom-e-Takbeer on May 28, and Iqbal Day on November 9. December 25 will mark Quaid-e-Azam Day, commemorating Pakistan’s founding father. Additionally, days like Ashura, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, and Iqbal Day have been designated as official holidays for the upcoming year
