ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved official public holidays for Eid ul Fitr, Pakistan Digital News reported, citing a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday.
According to the notification, Eid ul Fitr holidays will be observed on March 20 and March 21 in all federal government offices. The prime minister formally approved the holidays before the Cabinet Division issued the official directive.
The notification states that government offices operating on both five-day and six-day work schedules will remain closed on Friday and Saturday to mark the Eid festivities.
However, government employees are expected to enjoy a longer break. Since March 22 falls on Sunday and March 23 is already a public holiday in Pakistan, many employees will effectively receive a four-day holiday from Friday to Monday.
This extended break will allow public sector workers to celebrate Eid with their families while also benefiting from the weekend and the national holiday.
The announcement clarifies the official holiday schedule for federal government offices, enabling employees to make plans for Eid celebrations.
Earlier, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) predicted the likely date of Eid ul Fitr in 2026 based on astronomical calculations related to the Shawwal moon.
According to SUPARCO, the Shawwal moon will be born on March 19 at 6:23 a.m., and by sunset on the same day the moon will be around 12 hours and 41 minutes old.
The agency said that in Pakistan’s coastal areas, the time between sunset and moonset is expected to be about 28 minutes on March 19. Despite this, the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent that evening are considered low.
Based on these calculations, SUPARCO expects the first day of Shawwal 1447 AH to likely fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, meaning Eid ul Fitr would probably be celebrated on that date in Pakistan.
The space agency also noted that the final confirmation of the moon sighting will be announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for officially declaring the start of Islamic months in the country.
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