Notification excludes police, hospitals, and key departments
Holiday Declared Ahead of High-Level Foreign Visit
The Islamabad district administration has announced a public holiday on December 26, citing the visit of a high-level foreign delegation to the federal capital.
According to official details released on Wednesday, copies of the notification have been circulated to all relevant departments to ensure implementation of the decision.
What the Notification Says
The notification clarifies that the public holiday will not apply to:
- Islamabad Capital Territory (ICT) administration
- Capital Development Authority (CDA)
- Police
- Government hospitals
These departments will continue to function as usual to ensure administrative continuity, security, and emergency services.
UAE President’s Visit to Pakistan
The holiday coincides with the expected visit of United Arab Emirates President Sheikh Mohamed bin Zayed Al Nahyan, who is scheduled to arrive in Pakistan on December 26.
Authorities have confirmed that preparations are underway to accord a grand and befitting reception to the visiting dignitary, reflecting the close diplomatic and strategic ties between Pakistan and the UAE.
Security and Administrative Arrangements
Sources indicate that heightened security measures, traffic management plans, and protocol arrangements are being finalised across Islamabad to facilitate smooth movement during the visit.
Partial shutdown of offices is expected to ease congestion and support security operations during the high-profile engagement.
Critical Context: Diplomacy and Disruption
Public holidays linked to visits of foreign leaders are not uncommon in the federal capital, particularly when security considerations are paramount.
While such measures help streamline logistics and ensure safety, they also raise questions about administrative disruption and public inconvenience especially for daily wage earners and private-sector workers not covered by official notifications.
What Citizens Should Know
Residents are advised to:
- Confirm office schedules in advance
- Expect traffic diversions and security checkpoints
- Plan essential travel accordingly
Further advisories are expected closer to the visit.