The federal government has announced two public holidays on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan.
The notification states that March 20 and March 21, 2026, will be observed as public holidays across the country.
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As March 22 falls on Sunday, which is already a weekly holiday for most offices, and March 23 is observed as Pakistan Day, many government offices are likely to remain closed for four consecutive days.
The notification says the decision has been made in continuation of the Cabinet Division’s circular issued on January 19, 2026, which listed public and optional holidays for the year. It adds that the Prime Minister has approved March 20 and 21, 2026, as public holidays for offices observing both five day and six day working weeks.
Meanwhile, experts have suggested that Eid ul Fitr is likely to fall on March 21 this year, with Pakistan expected to complete a 30 day month of Ramadan.
In a statement, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) said the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 6:23 AM Pakistan Standard Time.
According to the agency, the moon’s age at sunset on March 19 will be about 12 hours and 41 minutes, with an estimated 28 minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt.
Suparco said the chances of sighting the Shawwal moon on the evening of March 19 are low, adding that the final announcement regarding the Eid moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
