Traveling during Muharram in Pakistan is possible, but the ninth and tenth days (Ashura) change how the country works. Processions close main roads in big cities, mobile and internet services are switched off in designated areas, some public transport stops, and shops and offices close. The first eight days are much quieter. If you can, avoid being in a large city on 9 and 10 Muharram, or plan to stay put in a hotel far from the procession routes.
Muharram is the first month of the Islamic calendar, and Ashura on the tenth day is the day of mourning for Imam Hussain, observed most visibly by Shia communities. This guide is about the practical side: what happened in 2026, what to expect next year, and how to plan a trip around it.
| At a glance | |
|---|---|
| Ashura 2026 | 26 June 2026 in Pakistan (public holidays notified for the 9th and 10th) |
| Ashura 2027 (expected) | About 14 to 16 June 2027, depending on the moon |
| Busiest days | 9 and 10 Muharram |
| Typical restrictions | Road closures on procession routes, mobile and internet suspension, metro and bus suspensions |
| Best approach | Be settled in one place before the 9th; move on after the 10th |
When is Muharram, and when is Ashura?
The Islamic calendar is lunar, so dates move roughly 11 days earlier each year, and Pakistan's moon-sighting committee sets them the evening before. In 2026 the Muharram moon was not sighted on the first expected evening, and Ashura fell on 26 June, according to Dawn. The 2027 date is a forecast: Ashura is expected about 14 June by astronomical calculation, and Pakistan often begins a day later, so plan around 14 to 16 June. Check the announcement in the days before.
What restrictions apply on 9 and 10 Muharram?
Provincial governments announce security plans a few days in advance, and the details change every year. In 2026 reports described:
- Mobile and internet suspension. Services were suspended in sensitive districts in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh, Balochistan (including Quetta) and 24 districts of Punjab, while Lahore stayed connected, according to The Nation, Samaa and Daily Pakistan. In Punjab some suspensions lasted until 10 pm.
- Road closures. In Karachi, M.A. Jinnah Road was closed between Gurumandir and Tower on Ashura (Dawn). Every city with a central procession closes its route, and side roads jam.
- Transport suspensions. The Punjab Mass Transit Authority suspended the Metro Bus, Electric Bus and Speedo bus in Lahore, Multan and Rawalpindi on the 9th and 10th, and Rawalpindi to Islamabad Metro service along Murree Road was halted (Pakistan Observer, Dawn).
- Holidays. Ashura is a public holiday; offices, schools and many shops and restaurants are closed for two days.
Treat this as a pattern, not a guarantee. Which districts lose signal, and for how long, is decided year by year.
Which places are most affected?
- Big cities with central processions (Karachi, Lahore, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, Peshawar, Quetta) see the biggest closures. Peshawar alone had a dozen processions in 2026, according to Dawn.
- Smaller towns with Shia populations hold their own processions, and the roads through them can be blocked for hours.
- Rural and mountain areas are generally quieter, but Gilgit-Baltistan has large Shia communities and local processions; see our guide to Muharram in Gilgit-Baltistan.
Intercity roads stay open, but a long drive on the 9th or 10th can run into local closures and a shortage of open food stops, and there may be no signal for navigation or booking apps.
How to plan a trip around Muharram
- Get the dates. Check the Central Ruet-e-Hilal announcement and your provincial home department's notice.
- Move before the 9th. Be at your destination, ideally in a quiet area, before the 8th. Travelling on 9 and 10 Muharram is the thing to avoid.
- Book the hotel for the full period. Don't count on checking in on the 9th.
- Stock up. Have cash, water, snacks and medication for two days, because shops and ATMs may be closed.
- Download maps and tickets offline and tell family your plan. With mobile shut, you cannot ring or message to update them.
- Keep a spare day after Ashura for roads, transport and mobile to return to normal.
If you hold a flight, check with the airline. Flights are not usually cancelled, but reaching the airport through closed roads is the usual difficulty.
How should visitors behave during Muharram?
- Dress modestly, in sober colours if you are near a majlis or procession. Many people wear black.
- Do not photograph mourners without asking, and never fly a drone near a procession.
- Accept sabeel, the free water, milk and sherbet given out on Muharram, if you are offered it; it is a religious offering.
- Keep music down in the first ten days, and expect restaurants and hotels to be quieter.
- Stay away from processions. They are crowded, and security is tight for a reason.
Is it safe to travel during Muharram?
The processions are a sensitive time, and security is heavy for that reason. The security situation in Pakistan is also tense in 2026. The UK government advises against all or all but essential travel to a number of areas, and overseas visitors should read the current advice for the region they plan to visit, since it can affect travel insurance. Pakistani families still travel through most of the country during Muharram, but usually keep away from city centres on the 9th and 10th. Check local news and police advice before setting out, and follow local instructions at checkpoints. Our guide on whether Pakistan is safe for tourists covers the wider picture.
What about the days before and after Ashura?
The first eight days of Muharram are much calmer for a traveller. Majalis (mourning gatherings) are held in the evenings and some neighbourhoods put up black flags and banners, but roads stay open and daily life goes on. The day after Ashura is usually a slow one, with services returning in stages, so avoid tight connections such as an early flight or a booked jeep out of a remote valley on the 11th.
Should you travel during Muharram at all?
For a first visit, it is easier to avoid the ten days, and especially the 9th and 10th, if you can. You lose flexibility, a day or two of movement and possibly your phone signal. For a family or group that cannot move its dates, a trip is workable if you settle somewhere quiet, ideally outside a city centre, and treat the 9th and 10th as rest days.
For other timing issues, see when to go, our guide to public holidays, and Ramadan travel tips.
Frequently asked questions
Is Ashura a public holiday in Pakistan?
Yes. The 9th and 10th of Muharram are public holidays, and offices, schools and many businesses are closed.
Will my mobile phone work during Muharram?
Not necessarily. Services are suspended on 9 and 10 Muharram in designated areas, which in 2026 included parts of Punjab, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Sindh and Balochistan. Lahore stayed connected.
Are hotels and restaurants open during Muharram?
Hotels stay open. Many restaurants and shops close on Ashura, especially near processions, so stock up before.
When is Muharram in 2027?
Muharram is expected to begin around 5 to 6 June 2027, with Ashura around 14 to 16 June, subject to the moon.
Can foreign tourists travel during Muharram?
There is no ban, but foreign visitors should stay away from processions and city centres on the 9th and 10th and check their own government's advice first.
