Pakistan Public Holidays 2026: 15 Official Days Confirmed

Pakistan Public Holidays 2026: 15 Official Days Confirmed

Pakistan Public Holidays 2026 have been announced by the federal government, covering national occasions, Eid holidays, Ashura, Eid Milad-un-Nabi, Christmas and other important dates. Here is the updated calendar based on the Cabinet Division's annual schedule and later notifications.

ISLAMABAD — Anyone planning annual leave, family trips or important work dates can now check the Pakistan Public Holidays 2026 calendar. The federal schedule was issued by the Cabinet Division, while dates linked to the Islamic lunar calendar were subject to separate confirmation.

That last point matters. The original annual calendar listed expected dates for Eid and other Islamic occasions, but some were later changed when the government issued separate notifications.

Pakistan Public Holidays 2026: Complete Updated List

The Cabinet Division's official public-holidays section lists the 2026 annual calendar as well as separate notifications for Kashmir Solidarity Day, Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Ashura and Eid Milad-un-Nabi.

Eid and Ashura Dates Changed From the Initial Calendar

There's an important catch for anyone who saved the first holiday calendar issued in January.

The original schedule placed Eid-ul-Fitr on March 21–23, Eid-ul-Azha on May 27–29 and Ashura on June 24–25. Those dates were estimates because Islamic holidays depend on the lunar calendar. Subsequent federal notifications changed the dates.

The final federal dates were March 20–21 for Eid-ul-Fitr, May 26–28 for Eid-ul-Azha and June 25–26 for Ashura.

Eid Milad-un-Nabi was subsequently declared a public holiday on Wednesday, August 26, 2026, corresponding to 12 Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 AH. The Cabinet Division lists that declaration on its official holidays page.

Three Bank Holidays in Pakistan in 2026

Bank holidays shouldn't be confused with ordinary public holidays.

The 2026 annual schedule identifies January 1, February 18 and July 1 as bank holidays. On these dates, banks, development finance institutions and microfinance banks are closed for public dealings, but their employees are not necessarily off work.

So, if you've got a cheque to deposit or an over-the-counter banking job to finish, it's worth checking the branch schedule before heading out.

What About Optional Holidays?

The federal calendar also provides optional holidays for different religious and cultural occasions, including Shab-e-Meraj, Shab-e-Barat, Holi, Good Friday, Easter, Baisakhi, Buddha Purnima, Chehlum, Diwali and Guru Nanak Dev Ji's birthday.

For federal government employees, these aren't automatic days off. The annual rules say an optional holiday requires prior permission from the head of the organisation and must not disrupt official work.

Muslim government employees may be granted one optional holiday during the calendar year, while non-Muslim government employees may be granted up to three.

Which 2026 Holidays Create Long Weekends?

A few dates fall nicely around the weekend.

Labour Day lands on Friday, May 1, while Independence Day is also on a Friday, August 14. Allama Iqbal Day falls on Monday, November 9, creating another three-day break for offices that normally close on Saturday and Sunday.

Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas fall on Friday, December 25, giving many workers another long weekend near the end of the year.

Pakistan Day falls on Monday, March 23, although its practical impact on leave plans came shortly after the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.

Do These Holidays Apply Everywhere in Pakistan?

The Cabinet Division schedule is the federal holiday calendar. Provincial governments and local administrations can issue their own notifications, and in some cases they may announce additional or longer breaks.

That was visible during Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, when provincial arrangements did not necessarily match the federal two-day holiday period.

Schools, universities and private companies may also operate under their own academic or employment calendars. Employees and students should therefore check the notification that applies specifically to their institution rather than assuming every closure follows the federal schedule.

Where to Check the Official Notification

The safest place to verify a holiday is the Government of Pakistan's Cabinet Division. Its Public and Optional Holidays page contains the annual 2026 schedule along with later notifications issued for major religious and national occasions.

Official Cabinet Division Public Holidays page

For people planning the rest of the year, the biggest dates still ahead after mid-September are Allama Iqbal Day on November 9, Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas on December 25, and December 26 for Christians.

With several holidays landing on Fridays or Mondays, the Pakistan Public Holidays 2026 calendar offers a handful of useful long weekends — but checking the latest federal, provincial or institutional notification before making travel plans remains the sensible move.