Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has officially sanctioned a two-day public holiday for Eid ul-Fitr in 2026, as confirmed by a formal notification released by the Cabinet Division on Sunday. This announcement ensures that all government offices across Pakistan will remain closed on March 20 and March 21, accommodating both five-day and six-day workweek schedules. The closure coincides with the weekend, as Friday and Saturday are already non-working days for many government employees.
The prime minister personally approved the holiday schedule before the Cabinet Division issued the directive, highlighting the government’s commitment to providing an extended festive break for public sector workers. Notably, the holiday period is further extended by the fact that March 22 falls on a Sunday, followed by March 23, which is a recognized public holiday nationwide. This sequence effectively creates a four-day long weekend from Friday through Monday, allowing government employees ample time to celebrate Eid with their families and communities.
Such an extended break is significant in Pakistan, where Eid ul-Fitr is one of the most important religious festivals, marking the end of Ramadan, the holy month of fasting. The government’s decision to align the official holidays with weekends and existing public holidays reflects an effort to maximize rest and celebration time without disrupting essential public services for an extended period.
Earlier, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had provided astronomical predictions regarding the timing of Eid ul-Fitr in 2026. their calculations, the crescent moon of Shawwal—the lunar month following Ramadan—is expected to be born on March 19 at 6:23 am. By the time of sunset on the same day, the moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, which is a crucial factor in determining the visibility of the moon and thus the start of Shawwal.
SUPARCO further explained that along Pakistan’s coastal regions, the time difference between sunset and moonset on March 19 will be around 28 minutes. However, despite this, the likelihood of sighting the new moon crescent on that evening remains low. Based on these observations, the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH—and consequently the anticipated day for Eid ul-Fitr—is projected to be Saturday, March 21, 2026.
It is important to note that while SUPARCO’s scientific calculations provide a strong indication of the moon’s timing, the official confirmation of Eid’s commencement will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. This committee holds the responsibility for the formal declaration of the lunar month’s start in Pakistan, relying on actual moon sightings to finalize the date. Their announcement typically follows moon sighting efforts on the evening of the 29th day of Ramadan.
Overall, the government’s early declaration of Eid holidays not only helps public sector employees plan their festivities but also supports businesses and institutions in preparing for the upcoming celebrations. This proactive approach underscores the importance of Eid ul-Fitr in Pakistan’s cultural and religious landscape, ensuring that citizens can observe the festival with ease and joy.
