Schools and colleges in Sindh will remain closed on August 15.
In a religious observance, the province of Sindh in Pakistan declared a Chehlum holiday for all educational institutions in 2024 and 2025 [1][2][3][4]. The Chehlum marks the 40th day after the martyrdom of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) in the Battle of Karbala and is a significant event in the Islamic calendar.
The Sindh government made the official announcement, declaring a holiday for all public and private schools under the Sindh School Education & Literacy Department. The decision was taken in a meeting of the Sub-Committee of the Steering Committee on November 28, 2025 [1]. In 2024, the holiday was announced on August 8, 2020 [2].
In 2025, the Chehlum holiday falls on August 15, coinciding closely with Pakistan's Independence Day on August 14. This alignment results in a four-day break for schools in Sindh from August 14 to 17 [1][3]. The same pattern was followed in 2024, where Sindh granted province-wide school holidays to observe Chehlum [2].
The holiday is not a federal public holiday but is recognized regionally by Sindh authorities to honor the religious and cultural significance of Imam Hussain's (RA) supreme sacrifices for Islam [1][4]. The closure does not apply to educational institutions not under the administrative control of the School Education and Literacy Department.
Meanwhile, the Punjab School Education Department extended summer vacations until September 1 for all public and private schools in the province [5]. The exact reasons for the extension, beyond it being a holiday period, are not specified in the text. The Punjab School Education Department pushed back the earlier reopening date of August 14 [6]. However, it's important to note that this closure does not apply to schools not under the administrative control of the School Education and Literacy Department.
If other provinces follow Sindh's lead and declare a Chehlum holiday, it could result in an extended break in those provinces as well. This could lead to a rare extended holiday stretch for students across the nation, especially if the nationwide public holiday on August 14 is also observed [7].
Directives have been issued to circulate the order among all educational institutions for implementation in Sindh [1]. The closure is in observance of Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) [3]. Mourning processions and commemorations are part of the observance [1][3][4].
[1] The Express Tribune. (2025, November 29). Sindh government declares Chehlum holiday for schools. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2272749/sindh-government-declares-chehlum-holiday-for-schools
[2] The News International. (2024, August 9). Sindh government declares Chehlum holiday for educational institutions. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/868184-sindh-government-declares-chehlum-holiday-for-educational-institutions
[3] Dawn.com. (2025, August 13). Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA): Schools in Sindh closed on August 15. Retrieved from https://www.dawn.com/news/1674160
[4] The Express Tribune. (2025, August 13). Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA): What is it and why is it observed? Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2272910/chehlum-of-hazrat-imam-hussain-ra-what-is-it-and-why-is-it-observed
[5] The Express Tribune. (2025, June 15). Punjab extends summer vacations for all schools until September 1. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2270063/punjab-extends-summer-vacations-for-all-schools-until-september-1
[6] The News International. (2025, June 14). Punjab extends summer vacations for schools, new reopening date set for August 15. Retrieved from https://www.thenews.com.pk/print/2269879-punjab-extends-summer-vacations-for-schools-new-reopening-date-set-for-august-15
[7] The Express Tribune. (2025, August 10). Chehlum of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and Independence Day: Could result in a rare extended holiday stretch. Retrieved from https://tribune.com.pk/story/2272677/chehlum-of-hazrat-imam-hussain-ra-and-independence-day-could-result-in-a-rare-extended-holiday-stretch
- The Sindh government's decision to declare a Chehlum holiday for all educational institutions in 2024 and 2025 has significant implications for education-and-self-development, as it results in a four-day break for schools in Sindh.
- Alongside this Chehlum holiday, general-news updates in the Islamic calendar may reveal that other provinces might follow Sindh's lead, potentially leading to an extended break for students nationwide and creating an unusual extended holiday stretch.
