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The Sindh government has declared a public holiday on February 19 (Wednesday) to mark the Urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, however, all federal institutions and banks will remain open in the province as the public holiday orders are not implemented on them.
The banks in the province remain closed only on a public holiday announced by the federal government for the whole country, or any holiday announced by the State Bank of Pakistan.
According to a notification issued by the Services, General Administration, and Coordination Department Sindh, all government and semi-government offices, as well as educational institutions, will remain closed on 19 February.
The annual Urs of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar is a three-day festival held in Sehwan Sharif to honor the revered Sufi saint. It takes place from the 18th to the 20th of Shaban, the eighth month of the Islamic calendar. Sindh government declares a public holiday on the day.
The celebrations begin with the hoisting of the flag at the saint’s shrine on the 18th of Shaban. This marks the start of various rituals, including Quranic recitations, special prayers, and the distribution of sweets and food among devotees.
Thousands of worshippers from across Pakistan and abroad visit the shrine to pay homage and seek blessings. Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar, a 13th-century mystic, poet, and philosopher, dedicated his life to spreading love, unity, and spiritual wisdom beyond religious boundaries.
The highlight of the Urs celebrations is the qawwali, a form of devotional music that originated in the Sufi tradition. Qawwals, or singers, perform at the shrine and other venues throughout the city, singing songs in praise of Hazrat Lal Shahbaz Qalandar and spreading his message of love and peace.
His shrine is one of South Asia’s most significant Sufi sites, attracting millions of visitors annually.
The Urs serves as a tribute to his teachings and provides a space for devotees to pray for peace, prosperity, and divine blessings.
