The government of Punjab have announced a public holiday on August 4 for the annual Urs of Hazrat Data Ganj Bakhsh.
In a notification issued by the Punjab Services and General Administration Department, the government said the holiday would apply across Lahore district and its subordinate offices.
However, the Punjab Civil Secretariat, its attached departments and regional offices will remain open.
Authorities have directed all relevant departments to implement the holiday arrangements.
Meanwhile, police have heightened security around the Data Darbar shrine as thousands of devotees gather for the celebrations.
Meanwhile, Lahore Police said extensive security measures had been put in place at Data Darbar, one of Pakistan’s largest and most visited Sufi shrines.
Lahore Capital City Police Officer (CCPO) Bilal Siddique Kamyana said walk-through gates, metal detectors and electronic barriers had been installed to ensure the safety of visitors.
Police have also been instructed to pay particular attention to the security of women and children, while senior officers have been directed to remain in close coordination with the shrine administration and event organisers.
Traffic police have been asked to ensure the smooth flow of vehicles around the shrine throughout the Urs celebrations.
The police said security would remain on high alert at all entry and exit points of Lahore, with search and combing operations continuing across the city ahead of the Urs and the upcoming Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA).
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