LAHORE: The Deputy Commissioner (DC) of Rahim Yar Khan, Khurram Pervaiz, has declared a public holiday on Wednesday, October 1, to mark the annual Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid.
According to an official notification from the DC’s office, all government offices within the district’s revenue limits will remain closed. However, ongoing examinations will continue as scheduled, and banks as well as federal departments will remain open.
Copies of the notification have been circulated to the Additional Chief Secretary Punjab, the Secretary Home Punjab, the Commissioner Bahawalpur Division, the District and Sessions Judge Rahim Yar Khan, the District Police Officer, and heads of relevant departments for compliance.
The Urs of Hazrat Khawaja Ghulam Farid, a revered 19th-century Sufi poet and mystic of the Chishti Order, is observed with great devotion and draws thousands of devotees each year. The celebrations feature religious gatherings, Mehfil-e-Naat, Samaa (Qawali), and cultural programs.
Khawaja Ghulam Farid, born between 1841 and 1845 in Bahawalpur, is widely respected for his spiritually profound poetry that delves into themes of divine love, human suffering, and the search for truth. A master of multiple languages including Saraiki, Punjabi, Urdu, Persian, Arabic, Sindhi, and Braj Bhasha, his literary contributions remain a cornerstone of South Asian Sufi heritage.
His legacy continues to inspire cultural and academic recognition. The Khawaja Fareed University of Engineering and Information Technology in Rahim Yar Khan bears his name, and the Government of Pakistan annually confers the “Khawaja Ghulam Farid Award” in literature. Additionally, Pakistan Post issued a commemorative stamp in 2001 in his honor.
The holiday not only facilitates participation in Urs activities but also underscores the enduring influence of Khawaja Ghulam Farid as a cultural and spiritual icon in Pakistan.