In a timely move to provide financial relief to public servants ahead of the upcoming Eid ul Fitr celebrations, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif instructed all federal government departments on Monday to expedite the payment of March salaries and pensions. This directive aims to ensure that government employees receive their dues well in advance of the festive period, allowing them to prepare comfortably for the holiday.
Following the Prime Minister’s instructions, various federal departments have already initiated the process of releasing these payments before Eid. This effort reflects the government’s commitment to supporting its workforce during significant religious and cultural occasions, recognizing the importance of timely financial support for millions of public sector employees across the country.
Meanwhile, the Sindh provincial government has also taken proactive steps by deciding to advance March salaries, allowances, and pensions specifically for Muslim employees and pensioners. an official communication from the Sindh Finance Department, all Muslim government workers—including those employed under work-charged and contingent paid schemes—will receive their full remuneration on March 16, 2026. This decision comes in anticipation of Eid ul Fitr, which is expected to fall on either March 20 or 21, depending on the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
Experts in lunar observations have suggested that Eid is likely to be celebrated on March 21, following a complete 30-day observance of Ramadan. The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) provided detailed astronomical data, stating that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is projected to appear on March 19, 2026, at 06:23 Pakistan Standard Time. However, the final confirmation regarding the exact date of Eid will rest with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for the official moon sighting and declaration across Pakistan.
In addition to the salary and pension payments, the federal government has also announced a two-day public holiday to mark the occasion of Eid ul Fitr. The Cabinet Division issued an official notification on Sunday, following Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif’s declaration that March 20 and March 21 will be observed as public holidays nationwide. These holidays apply to offices operating under both five-day and six-day workweek schedules, ensuring that employees across various sectors can fully participate in the festivities.
This early release of salaries and pensions, combined with the designated public holidays, underscores the government’s efforts to facilitate a joyous and stress-free Eid for public servants. It also highlights the broader cultural significance of Eid ul Fitr in Pakistan, a time when families come together to celebrate the end of Ramadan with prayers, feasts, and communal harmony.
