The federal government declared a two-day public holiday for the 9th and 10th of Muharram, effective Tuesday, July 16, to Wednesday, July 17.
The Cabinet Division announced that the 16th and 17th of July, 2024 (Tuesday and Wednesday) will be public holidays in honor of Ashura (9th and 10th Moharram 1446 AH).
Muslims throughout the world will mark this sacred day with tremendous grief and severity.
To guarantee security throughout this Islamic month, the government has dispatched military and paramilitary forces to help the civil administration in maintaining law and order throughout the country.
The federal government allowed the deployment of army soldiers and civil armed forces under Sections 4 and 5 of the Anti-Terrorism Act of 1997 for Muharram security responsibilities in assistance of civil authority, according to the directive.
“Provincial governments will choose the number, timing, and area of deployment in cooperation with stakeholders/authorities based on on-ground requirements and assessments. The date of de-requisitioning for said deployment will be determined later following mutual consultation among all parties,” the directive stated.
Earlier on July 5, the Punjab government requested that the interior ministry shut down internet services and social media apps such as Facebook, TikTok, and WhatsApp, as well as other applications, from Muharram 6 to 11, in order to control the spread of hate material and misinformation and prevent sectarian violence, according to media reports.
However, the administration denied the provinces’ request to prohibit these platforms, focusing instead on strengthening security measures during Muharramul Haram.
