The federal government of Pakistan has officially announced the Eid ul Fitr holidays for the year 2026, following approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif. The Cabinet Division issued a formal notification on Sunday confirming that the Eid holidays will be observed on March 20 and March 21 across all government departments and offices nationwide. This announcement provides clarity on the official schedule, allowing public sector employees to prepare for the upcoming festive period well in advance.
the notification, all government offices operating under both five-day and six-day workweek systems will remain closed on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, in observance of Eid ul Fitr. This decision ensures a uniform holiday schedule across federal institutions, facilitating a coordinated break for civil servants and other government employees. The prime minister’s endorsement of the holiday dates came prior to the Cabinet Division’s issuance of the official directive, underscoring the government’s commitment to recognizing this important religious festival.
It is important to note that the Eid holidays in 2026 will effectively extend beyond the two official days for many government workers. Since Sunday, March 22, falls on a weekend and Monday, March 23, is already designated as a public holiday in Pakistan, the holiday period will stretch into a four-day long weekend. This extended break from Friday through Monday offers a valuable opportunity for families and communities to come together and celebrate Eid ul Fitr without the usual workweek interruptions.
The extended holiday period is expected to be welcomed by public sector employees who can enjoy a longer respite, combining the Eid celebrations with the weekend and the national holiday. This arrangement also helps reduce workplace disruptions by consolidating the holiday schedule, allowing government offices to resume normal operations on Tuesday, March 24. The announcement thus serves as an important guideline for federal employees, enabling them to plan their travel, social gatherings, and religious observances accordingly.
In a related development, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has projected the likely date for Eid ul Fitr in 2026 based on astronomical calculations. SUPARCO’s analysis indicates that the Shawwal moon, which marks the beginning of the Islamic month following Ramadan, will be born on March 19 at 6:23 a.m. The agency further explained that by sunset on the same day, the moon’s age will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes. Along Pakistan’s coastal regions, the time gap between sunset and moonset is expected to be around 28 minutes on March 19, although the chances of visually sighting the crescent moon that evening are considered low.
Based on these observations, SUPARCO anticipates that the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH will most likely fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026. Consequently, Eid ul Fitr is expected to be celebrated on this date across Pakistan. However, the final confirmation of the moon sighting—and thus the official start of Eid—will be announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. This committee holds the responsibility for declaring the beginning of Islamic months in the country, and their announcement is awaited by millions of Muslims preparing for the festival.
Overall, the government’s timely announcement of the Eid ul Fitr holidays, combined with SUPARCO’s scientific predictions, provides a clear framework for the upcoming celebrations. This ensures that both government employees and the general public can make informed plans for the holiday season, fostering a spirit of unity and festivity throughout Pakistan.
