KARACHI, Jan 12: The city government has declared Saturday (January 13) a local holiday on account of the Urs of Hazrat Abdullah Shah Ghazi. All offices of the City District Government Karachi, town administrations, union council administrations, besides all educational institutions under the administrative control of the city government will remain closed.

However, the holiday will not affect the examinations conducted by the University of Karachi and Board of Intermediate Education, Karachi.

The BIE has reminded students that the papers of HSC Supplementary examinations 2006 would be held on January 13 as per schedule and there will be no change in the date and timing.

The KU examination controller, Naeem Qureshi, said that papers of BSc and BA annual examinations and MBBS will be held as usual. The teaching activities at the university will also continue as usual on the campus on Saturday, said another official of the university. A senior official of the college education office said that all colleges in the city will remain open on Saturday.

RETIRMENT: As many as 19 principals of city government colleges have retired since June 1, 2006. A handout of the Provincial Education Manager, Sindh, said that for the first time in the history of education department, a farewell was being organised in honour of retired principals. Sindh Education minister Dr Hamida Khuhro will be the chief guest of the farewell function, which will take place on January 13 at Government College of Home Economics at 11am.