The district administration in Multan has declared a local public holiday to mark the 787th annual Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya, one of the city’s most significant religious observances, drawing pilgrims and devotees from across the country.

According to reports, a local holiday has been declared in Multan on July 22 to mark the 787th annual Urs of Hazrat Bahauddin Zakariya Multani, with all government offices, public institutions and district level offices across the city remaining closed for the occasion. The notification, issued by the Multan Deputy Commissioner, cited the need to allow citizens and devotees to participate freely in the religious gatherings held during the Urs.

The annual Urs draws large crowds to the shrine each year, with devotees traveling from across Punjab and beyond to take part in the spiritual gatherings, Qawwali performances, and rituals associated with the observance. Multan’s district administration typically coordinates closely with local police and health authorities during the Urs period, given the scale of the crowds and the logistical demands of hosting large numbers of pilgrims over several days.

For residents of Multan, the holiday offers a pause in routine administrative activity, while local businesses in the vicinity of the shrine often see a temporary surge in commercial activity tied to the influx of visitors. The observance remains a defining feature of Multan’s religious and cultural calendar each year.

— Compiled by the Weekly PK Staff Desk