Lahore Board to hold exams on Monday despite holiday

LAHORE: A local holiday will be held in Lahore on Monday to commemorate the Urs of Hazrat Ali Hajveri known as Data Ganj Bakhsh.

However, the Lahore Board of Intermediate and Secondary Education has announced that all the exams scheduled for that day will go ahead as planned despite the holiday.

Lahore Board’s Controller of Examinations Zahid Mian has confirmed that there will be no change in the examination schedule, urging students to stick to their original examination timings.

He also advised students with exam canters near Data Darbar to reach at least two hours earlier to avoid disruptions from the huge crowd expected during Urs celebrations.

To ensure smooth conduct of examinations during the holidays, Commissioner Lahore has ordered specific measures to help students and staff reach exam canters without any problems, despite the expected increase in traffic and public gatherings near the event.

The Punjab government has announced a public holiday in Lahore on Monday, August 26, on the occasion of the 981st annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh. However, the leave does not apply to the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its affiliated departments and regional offices.

The three-day Urs will continue from August 24 to 26, in which the Awqaf Department will receive Rs 13.5 million for langar and other arrangements. Security measures include 144 CCTV cameras, a dedicated control room, and 18 LCD screens to monitor the event.