Public holidays 2026: Punjab govt issues official holidays notification

LAHORE: The provincial government of Punjab has issued a notification of public holidays for the year 2026.

The government has confirmed that public holidays approved by the federal government will also be observed in the province.

According to the notification, important national holidays such as Kashmir Day on February 5 and Pakistan Day on March 23 will be observed across the province.

The dates of major religious holidays have also been fixed, with Eid-ul-Fitr holidays from March 21 to March 23, and the holiday of Youm-e-Takbir (May 28) being recognized as a public holiday.

Eid-ul-Adha will be celebrated from May 27 to May 29, while Ashura (June 24-25) and Independence Day on August 14 will also be public holidays in Punjab.

The birth anniversary of the Prophet Muhammad (PBUH) will be observed on August 25, followed by Allama Iqbal Day on November 9 and Christmas and Quaid-e-Azam Day on December 25.

In a special arrangement, December 26 will be a public holiday only for Christian employees on Boxing Day. Additionally, January 1, February 18 and July 1 have been scheduled as bank holidays.

A significant addition to the 2026 holiday schedule is the introduction of optional holidays.

Muslim employees will be allowed one optional holiday in a year, while non-Muslim employees will be allowed three.

Employees must take prior approval from their respective department heads to avail of these optional holidays.

The notification also empowers district commissioners to declare two local holidays in each district, except Lahore, where the provincial government will make such declarations.