The Punjab government has declared a public holiday in Lahore on April 12, 2025, to mark the annual Mela Chiraghan, commemorating the Urs of Hazrat Shah Hussain, a 16th-century Sufi poet and saint.
A formal notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing) confirmed the holiday for all government offices and institutions within the Lahore district. The announcement specifies that the holiday will be observed in connection with the Mela Chiraghan, with all relevant offices and institutions closed for the day.
However, the notification clarified that the Punjab Civil Secretariat, along with its affiliated departments and regional offices, will remain operational and will not observe the holiday.
Mela Chiraghan, also known as the Festival of Lights, is a significant cultural and spiritual event in Lahore, held annually at the shrine of Hazrat Shah Hussain. The festival attracts large crowds of devotees, artists, and those with an interest in Sufi traditions. The celebration features music, poetry, and traditional rituals that honor the life and teachings of the revered Sufi saint.
This year’s Mela Chiraghan is expected to draw a diverse audience, further cementing the festival’s status as a key event in Lahore’s cultural calendar.
