Pakistan announces official & optional holidays for 2026

ISLAMABAD (Rizwan Abbasi): The Government of Pakistan has issued a notification of official and optional holidays for the year 2026, according to which holidays will be given on national days, religious festivals, and important occasions of minority communities.

According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Kashmir Day on February 5, Pakistan Day on March 23, and Independence Day on August 14 will be public holidays across the country. Similarly, Eid-ul-Fitr, from March 21 to 23, and Eid-ul-Adha, from May 27 to 29, 2026, will be official holidays.

According to the notification, Labor Day on May 1 and Youm-e-Takbir on May 28 will also be observed as holidays across the country, while Youm-e-Ashura on June 24 and 25 have been declared official public holidays.

It has been further informed that Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) on August 25 and Allama Iqbal Day on November 9 will also be holidays, while December 25 will be a public holiday on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas, and December 26 will be a holiday for Christian employees.

According to the notification, January 1, February 18 (due to Zakat deduction), and July 1 will be bank holidays; however, bank staff will be present on these days.

The notification states that optional holidays include Shab-e-Miraj, Shab-e-Barat, Holi, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and other religious and cultural festivals, while the dates of Muslim festivals will be subject to the sighting of the crescent moon, and a separate notification will be issued in this regard.

According to the Cabinet Division, optional holidays will be given with the permission of the head of the institutions, and it will be ensured that official affairs are not affected. It has been further stated that export institutions will be exempted from holidays; however, overtime payment will be required for workers.