Banks are to remain closed for three days. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday announced two days of bank holiday on account of Ashura 2023.
“The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed from 28th to 29th July 2023 (Friday to Saturday) being public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1445 A.H),” a notification issued by the central bank stated, which will be followed by a Sunday when the banks remain closed.
On July 28 and 29, the country will observe Ashura days, Muharram 9 and 10, to commemorate the sacrifices of Hazrat Imam Hussain (AS) and his companions in the Battle of Karbala.
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As Banks remain closed for three days on Ashura 2023, the federal government has declared public holidays for Muharram 9 and 10.
The Sindh government has also prohibited pillion riding on Muharram 9 and 10 as part of a series of measures taken under Section 144 of the CrPC to ensure the Ashura days activities continue uninterrupted.
Furthermore, the federal government has authorized the deployment of armed forces across the country to ensure security during Muharram.
Ashura is a day of commemoration in Islam. It occurs annually on the 10th of Muharram, the first month of the Islamic calendar. Among Shia Muslims, Ashura is observed through large demonstrations of high-scale mourning as it marks the death of Husayn ibn Ali (a grandson of Muhammad), who was beheaded during the Battle of Karbala in 680 CE.
