The federal government announced a local holiday for Islamabad on 18th December and 20th December 2021. Important to note, earlier Interior Minister Sheikh Rasheed announced 18th and 19th December as a local holiday.
He also said that the request for a public holiday on Monday was sent to the federal cabinet. However, Deputy Commissioner (DC) Islamabad Hamza Shafqaat recently confirmed that Monday will also be an off.
“Coming Monday and Saturday will be a local holiday in Islamabad for schools and private offices. Hiking trails in Margalla will stay closed. Metro stations (Pak sect to Shaheed e Millat sect) will stay closed till Monday,” the DC tweeted.
Read more: DC Islamabad picks trash from Margalla Hills after British diplomat
Coming Monday and Saturday will be local holiday in Islamabad for schools and private offices. Hiking trails in margalla will stay closed. Metro stations (Pak sect to Shaheed e milat sect) will stay closed till Monday.
— Muhammed Hamza Shafqaat (@hamzashafqaat) December 17, 2021
OIC meeting in Islamabad
The holidays in Islamabad will be a one-time thing as Pakistan is currently preparing to host the upcoming Organisation of Islamic Cooperation (OIC) Council of Foreign Ministers Conference as it is the founding member. Therefore, to ensure security, the government announced holidays for the weekend.
“To prevent any mishap, we have taken help from the Pakistan Army and other security agencies,” Sheikh Rasheed said.
For security purposes, authorities in Islamabad will seal off several areas in Islamabad. However, Sheikh Rasheed said that the interior ministry and chief commissioner of police have decided not to suspend mobile services in the city during the OIC Conference.
Sheikh Rasheed appealed to the citizens of Islamabad to cooperate during these days.
“We apologise for the inconvenience,” the interior minister said.
The OIC’s Extraordinary Session of Foreign Ministers will start on Dec 17. The session will focus on ways to mobilize support for providing adequate food, medicine, and shelter to Afghanistan as it faces a humanitarian crisis.
The Council of Foreign Ministers will convene on December 19 chaired by Saudi Arabia. Furthermore, Prime Minister Imran Khan will address the conference.