Markets in Karachi and Lahore will stay open on May 28, Youm-e-Takbeer, despite the government announcing a public holiday.
The Karachi Traders Association said that all business and trade centers in the city will be open on May 28. They explained that economic difficulties and unemployment are why they won’t observe the holiday.
Similarly, the Lahore Traders Association announced that shops and businesses will remain open, celebrating Youm-e-Takbeer with national pride.
Javed Shams, President of the Karachi Traders Association, stressed the importance of May 28 for Pakistan’s defense. He added that the public, already struggling with poverty, unemployment, and inflation, cannot afford a holiday, even though the date is historically significant.
He pointed out that traders and business owners cannot close their shops due to the tough economic situation and high unemployment rates.
Rizwan Irfan, President of the Karachi Electronic Dealers Association, also confirmed that all electronic markets in the city will be open on May 28. He mentioned that this day represents Pakistan’s strength on the global stage.
Earlier, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif declared May 28 a public holiday to commemorate Youm-e-Takbeer, the day Pakistan’s defense became strong after nuclear tests in Chagai, Balochistan.
In a statement from the PM House, the prime minister described May 28, 1998, as a crucial day for Pakistan’s defense. He promised that the government is committed to ensuring the country’s economic security and prosperity.
The nuclear tests were conducted in response to India’s nuclear activities, making Pakistan the first Muslim-majority country and the seventh in the world to achieve nuclear power status.
My Opinion
While the government’s declaration of a public holiday for Youm-e-Takbeer acknowledges a pivotal moment in Pakistan’s history, the decision of Karachi and Lahore traders to keep their markets open reflects the severe economic pressures facing ordinary citizens. Balancing national pride with economic realities is a challenge, and it’s clear that many feel the urgent need to prioritize daily survival over celebration.
