Five-Day School Holiday Announced for Baisakhi Festival

ARY News reported that the district administration of Nankana Sahib has declared a five-day school holiday in honor of the Baisakhi festival.

From April 12 to April 16, all educational institutions across the district will remain closed. This decision aligns with the arrival of numerous Sikh pilgrims from India who are participating in the Baisakhi celebrations.

The school closures aim to facilitate smooth event management and enhance security measures. A formal notification has confirmed that these holidays will apply district-wide. The main Baisakhi festivities are scheduled for April 14, with preparations currently underway.

To ensure safety, more than 2,000 police officers will be deployed as per the detailed security plan issued by the District Police Officer (DPO). Despite an annual quota of 3,000 under the Pakistan-India religious tourism agreement, this year’s interest from Sikh pilgrims has exceeded 7,000, prompting requests for additional visas from the Pakistani High Commission in New Delhi.

Given the festival’s significance and the influx of visitors, the temporary school closures will help manage traffic congestion and enhance overall event coordination.