Rawalpindi to observe local holiday tomorrow

RAWALPINDI: Rawalpindi district will observe a local holiday tomorrow (Wednesday, August 13) in connection with the Independence Day celebrations.

An official notification has been issued in this regard by Rawalpindi Deputy Commissioner Dr Hassan Waqar Cheema.

All public and private schools, colleges and universities will remain close.

However, all emergency-related departments, institutions and authorities will continue to operate as usual.

13 اگست بروز بدھ کو مقامی تعطیل کا اعلان،
ضلعی انتظامیہ راولپنڈی کی جانب سے نوٹیفکیشن جاری@CS_Punjab @CommissionerRwp @GovtofPunjabPK pic.twitter.com/NZ63Jy27t9

— DC Rawalpindi (@DCRawalpindi) August 12, 2025

Copies of the notification have been sent to the Chief Secretary Punjab, the Chief Minister’s Secretariat, divisional and district police officers, assistant commissioners across the district, and heads of relevant departments to ensure implementation in their respective jurisdictions.

Islamabad also observes holiday tomorrow

Earlier in the day, the district administration of Islamabad announced that the federal capital will observe local holiday tomorrow (August 13).

Local holiday in Islamabad on 13th August. pic.twitter.com/njY1v3k8rM

— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) August 12, 2025

The notification, issued by Deputy Commissioner Islamabad Irfan Nawaz Memon, states that the holiday will apply to all offices within Islamabad’s limits.

Islamabad bans drones, closes park and trails

After announcing 13 August holiday, the district administration banned drones and camcopters within the aerial limits of the federal capital for two months under Section 144.

According to the Islamabad DC, the decision to ban unmanned aerial vehicles (UAVs) was taken due to security threats.

However, he clarified that the ban does not apply to the district administration or law enforcement agencies.

He also announced that Lake View Park, Daman-e-Koh, Pakistan Monument, and Shakarparian will remain closed closed for 13 August holiday.

Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5, and the trail behind Saidpur Village shall remain closed on 13th August, 2025 (Wednesday) for the general public in the Federal Capital. pic.twitter.com/f7jFDCPbdX

— DC Islamabad (@dcislamabad) August 12, 2025

Moreover, the DC also announced that “Trail 2, Trail 3, Trail 4, Trail 5 & Trail behind Saidpur Village shall remain closed on 13th August, 2025 (Wednesday) for the general public in Federal Capital.”

Independence Day celebrations

The decision to announce holiday tomorrow in the twin-cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad as well as to close parks and trails aims at facilitating preparations for Independence Day celebrations on August 14, as large-scale events are planned across the city including an airshow planned by the Pakistan Airforce.

Pakistan to mark the 79th Independence Day on August 14 and celebrate the country’s victory in Marka-e-Haq with national zeal. The government has announced a public holiday for the occasion.

Special ceremonies have been planned in the federal capital, all four provinces, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, and Gilgit-Baltistan. Government buildings are being illuminated and adorned with patriotic motifs, while themed floats will depict key moments from the national struggle.