Shab-e-Barat holiday announced; schools to remain closed

Karachi: The Sindh Education Department has announced Shab-e-Barat holiday for all public and private educational institutions.

Shab-e-Barat is the holiest night between the 14th and 15th of Shaban, which Muslims observe to seek forgive­ness from Allah.

According to the official notification, schools and colleges across the province will remain closed on Friday, February 14. 

The education department confirmed that the decision applies to all government and private educational institutions to mark the religious observance.

As the community prepares for the spiritual significance of Shab-e-Barat, the educational institutions’ closure serves to allow students and faculty to observe this sacred occasion with reverence and devotion.

However, the federal government did not announce Shab-e-Barat holiday in the public holidays schedule 2025. The day is placed in the scheduled under the ‘optional holidays’ category.

The detailed holidays have been mentioned below:

• Kashmir Day will be observed on February 5, 2025, while Pakistan Day will be observed on March 23, 2024.
• Eid-ul-Fitr to be celebrated on March 30, 31 and April 1 of 2025
• Labour Day on May 1, while Youm-e-Takbeer will be observed on May 28th of 2025.
• Eid-ul-Azha on June 7, 8 and 9 of 2025
• Ashura will be observed on July 5 and 6 of 2025.
• Independence Day will be celebrated on August 14 of 2025.
• Eid Milad-un-Nabi will be celebrated on September 5 and 6 of 2025.
• Iqbal Day will be observed on November 9

Moreover, neither the federal government nor any other province have announced Shab-e-Barat holiday 2025 so far.

Shab-e-Barat holds special importance for Muslims in Pakistan and across the globe. Often referred to as ‘The Night of Fortune and Forgiveness,’ it precedes the holy month of Ramzan.

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The night is celebrated with religious zeal across the country. Special religious gatherings are held nationwide and people visit graveyards to say prayers at the graves of their loved ones.

Additionally, the faithful gather in mosques on this auspicious occasion to offer nawafil (voluntary prayers) and partake in special prayers for the well-being of the country.