National holiday announced on Easter for Christian community

ISLAMABAD: The government has announced an optional holiday on Monday April 17, 2017 for the Christian community on the occasion of Easter.

A statement from the Ministry of Interior said that Monday will be an optional holiday across the country for the Christian community on account of Easter on special instructions of the prime minister.

The holiday is granted on Monday as the event of Easter is observed on Sunday. The holiday is for all members of the Christian community working in public and private institutions.

This is for the first time in nation’s history that Easter has been declared a national holiday. Last month, the National Assembly passed a resolution to declare Holi, Diwali and Easter as national holidays for minorities.