KARACHI, Jan 1: Labour, transport, industries and commerce departments of the government of Sindh has announced the list of national and religious holidays for the year 2002 under the Factories Act of 1934.

Ten holidays are in the general category to be observed by all starting from Kashmir Day falling on Feb 5.

(2) Eid-ul-Azha — Feb 22 and 23. (3) Pakistan Day — March 23 (4) Ashura (Muharram) — March 23 and 24. (5) May Day — May 1. (6) Eid-Milad-un-Nabi— May 25. (7) Independence Day — Aug 14 (8) Iqbal Day — Nov 9. (9) Eid-ul- Fitr — Dec 5, 6 and 7. (10) Christmas/Birth anniversary of the Quaid-i-Azam — Dec 25.

The following festival holidays are to be observed by workers belonging to respective communities:

HINDUS: (1) Holi — March 28 (2) Janam Ashtami— Aug 31. (3) Durga Puja — Oct 15. (4) Divali — Nov 4.

BALMIKIS: Birth of Swami Balmiki — Oct 21.

CHRISTIANS: (1) Good Friday — March 29. (2) Easter Sunday — March 31. (3) Day after Christmas — Dec 26.

PARSIS: (1) Parsi New Year (Nauroz) — Aug 21. (2) Birth anniversary of Khordadsal Lord Zoroaster — Aug 26.

BUDDHISTS: Buddha Purnima - May 26.

SIKHS: Guru Nanak’s birth anniversary — Nov 20.

Muslim workers, with seven days’ notice to their employers, may observe holidays on Shab-i-Barat and Shab-i-Mairaj in lieu of any of the festival holidays.

There will be no substitute holidays for holidays falling on Sunday.—PPI