The government of Pakistan has announced public holidays on July 16 and 17, 2024, to mark the 9th and 10th of Muharram. A notification from the Cabinet Division stated, “The Prime Minister is pleased to declare July 16 and 17, 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday), as public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram 1446 AH).”
Muslims around the world will observe this religious occasion with grief and sorrow.
As a security measure during Muharram, the government has also approved the deployment of the Pakistan Army and Civil Armed Forces (CAF) across the country. The interior ministry’s notification mentions that the details of troop deployment, which will be enforced indefinitely, will be finalized with the relevant authorities, including the governments of Gilgit Baltistan, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Islamabad.
Additionally, provincial governments, including Punjab, have asked the federal government to suspend social media platforms for one week to prevent the spread of hate material online.
