Ashura 2024: Pakistan announces public holidays on July 16, 17

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a two-day holiday for Ashura Muharram.

The cabinet on Tuesday issued a notification to this effect. The statement said that July 16th and 17th will be observed as public holidays nationwide on the occasion of Ashura (9th and 10th of Muharram).

“The Prime Minister has been pleased to declare 16th and 17th July, 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday) as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram 1446 AH),” read an excerpt from the notification.

The Interior Ministry had previously notified the deployment of Pakistan Army to assist provincial governments with law and order situation during Muharram.

The deployment of army troops as well as paramilitary armed forces has been sanctioned under Article 245 of the Constitution, which mandates the military to “defend Pakistan against external aggression or threat of war, and, subject to law, act in aid of civil power when called upon to do so.”