KARACHI: The Sindh government has announced a public holiday on the occasion of Jumma-Tul-Wida, as security and administrative measures are being tightened ahead of religious observances across the province.
Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah said a road in Karachi would also be named after Ayatollah Ali Khamenei.
He added that no rallies will be allowed on Shahrah-e-Faisal, while all religious and organizational processions will be required to follow their traditional routes. According to the minister, the directive has been issued in compliance with court orders.
Meanwhile, Youm-e-Ali processions are being held in major as well as smaller cities nationwide. In Karachi, authorities have placed containers on several roads and streets in the Saddar area as part of security arrangements for the gatherings.
In a separate administrative move, the Sindh government has also introduced a four-day working week. Under the new schedule, government offices will operate from Monday to Thursday, while Friday, Saturday and Sunday will remain closed.
The provincial administration has further decided to reduce fuel consumption for official vehicles by 50 percent, as part of its cost-cutting measures.
