Sindh govt announces closure of schools and colleges on August 15

The Sindh Education Department has declared a holiday on August 15 for both public and private schools in observance of the Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA). 

Chehlum, observed 40 days after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala, will fall just after Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14. This alignment will give students and staff in Sindh a four-day break from August 14 to 17, including the weekend. Schools in Sindh had already reopened on July 31 after their summer vacations. Meanwhile, Punjab has taken a different approach. The Punjab School Education Department has extended summer holidays for all public and private schools until August 31, 2025. An official notification issued on August 7 confirmed that schools will now reopen on September 1, instead of the earlier planned date of August 14.

This extension, approved by the Competent Authority, is based on an earlier notification from May 20, 2025, and applies to all institutions under the Punjab School Education Department. District Education Authorities have been instructed to ensure full compliance with the revised schedule. If other provinces also declare a Chehlum holiday, students in many parts of the country could experience an extended break, similar to Sindh’s schedule. In 2024, Sindh had also declared a Chehlum holiday for educational institutions, showing a pattern of observance for this important day. This year’s calendar creates a rare combination of national and religious holidays, offering a longer respite for students and teachers in certain regions.