ISLAMABAD: The government of Pakistan on Sunday announced public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr, issuing an official notification declaring March 20 and 21 as holidays nationwide.
All government offices will remain closed on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, according to the notification from the Cabinet Division, The holidays apply to public institutions operating under both five-day and six-day working weeks.
March 22 (Sunday) will remain a regular weekly holiday, while March 23 (Monday) is already a nationwide public holiday in observance of Pakistan Day. As a result, government employees are expected to enjoy an extended break over the Eid period.
Cabinet Division Declares March 20–21 Public Holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr#EidUlFitr #PublicHoliday #CabinetDivision #PakistanNews #FestiveHolidays #March20 #March21 #PakistaniGovernment #BreakingNews #EidCelebration #HolidayAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/NKcgLFe8rI
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) March 15, 2026
The Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had previously predicted that Eid-ul-Fitr was likely to fall on March 21, citing low chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 19.
According to SUPARCO, at sunset on March 19, the new moon would be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, with a 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt.
SUPARCO noted that the prediction was based on scientific calculations, but emphasised that the official announcement of Eid would be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the sole authority responsible for declaring the start of Islamic months based on verified observations and credible witness testimonies from across the country.
