Islamabad (Pakistan News) it was reported that The Sindh and Punjab governments have announced an official holiday on the occasion of shab e barat but later on information minister punjab azma zahid bukhari told that the viral notification was fake. on other hand, the notification from the federal government has not been issued yet, but the Shab e Barat holiday is included in the announced annual holidays or in optional holidays for 2026, media reports suggested.
According to a report, the decision is still under review, leaving students, employees, and parents waiting for confirmation from federal government but Sindh and Punjab government issued notification in this regard.
According to daily Pakistan (though that was developing story), The Punjab government has declared a public holiday across the province on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat (Wednesday, February 4). According to a notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) (which was declared fake later on), all government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous institutions, government corporations, local councils and all government and semi-government educational institutions under the administrative control of the Punjab government will remain closed on the said date.
The holiday will be applicable equally to all districts of the province so that citizens can participate in religious activities without any hindrance.
Meanwhile, a formal notification has also been issued by the School Education Department Sindh.
According to the notification issued, all government and private schools across Sindh will remain closed on February 4 on the occasion of Shab-e-Barat. The notification will be applicable to educational institutions established in all districts of the province.
It’s important to mention here that,Shab-e-Barat, which falls on the 15th night of Sha’ban, is an important religious occasion for Muslims, marked by prayers, repentance, and seeking forgiveness. Special Quran recitations, seminars, and congregational prayers are held across mosques and religious centers nationwide to observe the night.
later on, Punjab Information Minister Azma Zahid bukhari clarified that the holiday notification circulating on social media is fake. Posting on the social networking website X, she said that no such notification has been issued yet.