Govt Announces Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 Holidays in Pakistan
The federal government has officially announced public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 across Pakistan following the approval of Shehbaz Sharif, the Prime Minister of Pakistan.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan, public holidays will be observed on March 20 and March 21, 2026. These holidays will apply to all government offices, including institutions operating under both five-day and six-day working schedules.
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The decision has been taken to allow government employees and officials to celebrate the religious festival of Eid al‑Fitr with their families.
Four-Day Long Weekend Expected
With the announcement of these holidays, many government employees are expected to enjoy a four-day long weekend.
- March 20 (Friday): Public Holiday
- March 21 (Saturday): Public Holiday
- March 22 (Sunday): Weekly Holiday
- March 23 (Monday): Public Holiday for Pakistan Day
As a result, public offices will remain closed for several consecutive days, giving employees an extended break during the festive period.
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However, the government has instructed relevant departments to ensure that essential services remain operational so that public convenience and emergency services are not affected during the holidays.
Eid Moon Prediction
Earlier, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) predicted that Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to fall on March 21, 2026. According to its scientific calculations, the chances of sighting the Shawwal moon on March 19 are very low.
SUPARCO explained that at sunset on March 19, the age of the new moon would be around 12 hours and 41 minutes, with only about 28 minutes between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal regions.
Despite these scientific estimates, the commission emphasized that the final announcement will be made by the Central Ruet‑e‑Hilal Committee of Pakistan, which is the official authority responsible for confirming the sighting of the moon and announcing the start of Islamic months in the country.
