ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The district administration on Thursday declared a public holiday in all educational institutions on Friday, March 13, on the occasion of International Al Quds Day.
In a notification issued on Thursday, the Deputy Commissioner Irfan Nawaz Memon notified that all public and private educational institutions will remain closed on March 13.
“March 13, 2026 (Friday) shall be observed as a public holiday for all educational institutions, both public and private, including schools, colleges, and universities, located within the revenue limits of the Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT),” the notification stated.
Holiday Announcement
All public and private schools, colleges and universities in Islamabad will remain closed on Friday, 13 March 2026 as notified by the District Administration. pic.twitter.com/hxt0IxlMuZ— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) March 12, 2026
Earlier, the Sindh government declared a provincewide public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida, which marks the final Friday of Ramazan and Youm-e-Quds.
The public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida will apply to government offices and various public institutions throughout Sindh.
The public holiday for Jumat-ul-Wida in Sindh serves to help worshippers who need to attend the large prayer gatherings, according to Provincial Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah.
Protest rally on Al Quds Day
In this regard, a protest rally will be organised in Islamabad on Al Quds Day from the shrine of Sakhi Mahmood Badshah in Aabpara. A major rally is expected near G-6 (Markaz) and is likely to move toward D-Chowk.
Meanwhile, in Rawalpindi, a protest rally arranged by the TNFJ Youm-e-Quds rally will start from Imambargah Ashiq Hussain, Teli Mohalla.
Due to the protest rally, Red Zone entry will be open only from Margalla Road and near the Marriott Hotel. All other entrances are expected to remain closed to prevent rallies from entering the diplomatic enclave.
Fazal-E-Haq Road toward China Chowk will also remain closed. Commuters are advised to use Jinnah Avenue or 7th Avenue.
School holidays in Islamabad
The federal government on Tuesday declared holidays in schools and colleges from March 16 to 31, a day after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif announced austerity and fuel conservation measures across the country amid the escalating situation in the Middle East.
According to the notification issued by the Federal Directorate of Education (FDE), the decision to close educational institutions has been taken under the government’s austerity and fuel-saving campaign.
The notification stated that all activities and schedules related to exams will continue as usual.
Furthermore, the education authorities have instructed the immediate conduct of all classes of BS programs online, while 50 percent of the administrative staff of educational institutions will work under the work-from-home policy.
According to the notification, this decision will be applicable to all federal government schools and colleges in Islamabad.
