LAHORE: The Punjab government has announced a public holiday on August 26 (Monday) in the Lahore district to mark the celebrations of the 981st Annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh (RA).
Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing) issued the notification on Tuesday.
The holiday will apply to all government offices in Lahore, excluding the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its Attached Departments, and Regional Offices, the notification stated.
Earlier, the Lahore High Court (LHC) declared a holiday in all courts on August 26 for courts to honor the significant religious event.
Following the approval of Acting Chief Justice Abid Aziz Sheikh, the official notification stated that all sessions and civil courts of Lahore will remain closed on August 26 for the Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri popularly known as Data Ganj Bakhsh.
Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh Urs
The anticipation grows as the city prepares for the three-day annual Urs celebrations of Data Ganj Bakhsh Ali Hajveri (RA), scheduled from August 24 to 26, during which the Data Darbar will be beautifully illuminated. The Auqaf Department has allocated Rs13.5 million for langar and various events.
Addressing the media on Wednesday, the Auqaf Secretary said the Urs, to be held at Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh’s shrine, will be officially inaugurated on August 24 by Deputy Prime Minister Senator Muhammad Ishaq Dar.
Special security measures have been taken into place including the installation of 144 CCTV cameras, a control room, and 18 LCD screens to monitor the proceedings and protection of pilgrims.
