The Sindh government has declared a public holiday tomorrow (February 19, 2025) across the province, including Karachi, in observance of the annual Urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. All government and private offices, schools, and courts will remain closed, except for essential services.
According to an official notification issued by the Sindh Department of Services, General Administration & Coordination, the holiday is being observed to facilitate devotees traveling to Sehwan Sharif, where the Urs celebrations are underway. The Sindh High Court (SHC) and subordinate courts are also observing the holiday.
Urs Celebrations at Sehwan Sharif
The three-day Urs festivities began on February 17 and will continue until February 19. Thousands of devotees have gathered at Lal Shahbaz Qalandar’s shrine to participate in Dhamal, Qawwali, and Sufi music recitals.
Special Train Services for Devotees
To accommodate devotees traveling to Sehwan Sharif, Pakistan Railways has arranged special trains. The first train departed from Faisalabad on February 14, while the second train left from Lahore on February 15. The return journeys are scheduled for February 20.
The public holiday today aims to honor the legacy of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and allow citizens to participate in the religious and cultural traditions associated with his Urs celebrations.
 across the province, including Karachi, in observance of the annual Urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar. All government and private offices, schools, and courts will remain closed, except for essential services.){kind=link}