Punjab Announces Public Holiday in Major District

The Punjab government has announced a local public holiday in Multan on July 22 to mark the 787th annual Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (RA).

According to an official notification issued by Multan Deputy Commissioner Dr. Faisal Saleem, all government offices, district-level departments, and public institutions within the district will remain closed on Tuesday, July 22.

The district administration said the holiday has been declared to facilitate devotees and residents participating in the annual Urs celebrations, which attract thousands of visitors from across the country.

The Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani (RA) is among the largest annual religious gatherings in Multan. Every year, pilgrims travel from different parts of Pakistan to visit the shrine, offer prayers, and take part in various spiritual ceremonies held in memory of the revered Sufi saint.

Located in the heart of Multan’s historic old city, the shrine of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya is regarded as one of Pakistan’s most important Sufi landmarks and remains a major center of religious and cultural heritage.

Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya (RA) was a renowned 13th-century Islamic scholar and spiritual leader of the Suhrawardi order. He played a pivotal role in spreading Islamic teachings across the region and is widely respected for his contributions to Sufism in the Indian subcontinent.

During the annual Urs, the shrine hosts a series of religious gatherings, Quran recitations, special prayers, and devotional ceremonies. Thousands of devotees also visit to pay tribute to the saint’s teachings and seek blessings.

The local holiday is intended to ensure that government employees, residents, and pilgrims can participate in the Urs without disruption, while also helping authorities manage the large influx of visitors expected during the celebrations.

The public holiday applies only within Multan district and does not extend to the rest of Punjab.