KARACHI: The Sindh government has declared Friday, August 15, 2025, a public holiday for all public and private educational institutions to mark Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA), which falls on 20th Safar 1447 AH.
The notification, issued on August 8, follows a decision made in a Sub-Committee meeting of the Steering Committee held on November 28, 2024. The holiday will apply to all schools under the School Education and Literacy Department.
Chehlum is commemorated across Pakistan with religious observances, mourning processions, and gatherings on the 40th day after the martyrdom of Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.
This year, the Chehlum holiday comes a day after Pakistan’s Independence Day on August 14, also a public holiday, creating an extended break from August 14 to August 17, including the weekend. Schools in Sindh had resumed regular classes on July 31 after the end of the summer break.
Meanwhile, in Punjab, the School Education Department has extended summer vacations for all public and private institutions until August 31, 2025. The decision, formalized in a notification issued on August 7, was approved by the Competent Authority and builds upon an earlier directive from May 20, 2025. Schools in Punjab will reopen on Monday, September 1, 2025.
Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of District Education Authorities (DEAs) have been instructed to ensure compliance with the revised schedule, providing students and parents additional relief during the hot summer period.
