For residents, expatriates, and business owners in Pakistan, the annual public holidays notification issued by the Cabinet Division is one of the most anticipated documents of the year. It dictates the rhythm of the school year, bank operations, and the corporate calendar.
In 2026, the Government of Pakistan has outlined a schedule that features a significant number of Friday and Monday holidays, making it a “Year of Long Weekends.” This guide provides an in-depth look at every public holiday in Pakistan, the list of govt holidays in Pakistan, and the specific criteria for availing optional holidays as per the latest public holidays notification.
The public holidays notification for 2026 lists “Gazetted” holidays, which are mandatory days off for all government departments and federal institutions. Most private organizations follow this schedule to ensure synchronization with national banking and transport services.
These days are celebrated based on the Gregorian calendar and remain consistent every year.
| Date | Day | Holiday Name | Historical & Social Significance |
| Feb 5 | Thursday | Kashmir Solidarity Day | A day dedicated to expressing unity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. |
| Mar 23 | Monday | Pakistan Day | Commemorating the 1940 Lahore Resolution which paved the way for a separate homeland. |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day | International Workers’ Day, honoring the contributions of the working class. |
| May 28 | Thursday | Youm-e-Takbeer | Celebrating Pakistan’s achievement as a nuclear-armed nation (Chagai-I). |
| Aug 14 | Friday | Independence Day | The most significant national holiday, marking freedom from British rule in 1947. |
| Nov 9 | Monday | Allama Iqbal Day | The birth anniversary of the philosopher-poet who conceived the idea of Pakistan. |
| Dec 25 | Friday | Quaid-e-Azam Day | Birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, combined with Christmas celebrations. |
As per the public holidays notification, these dates are tentative. The final dates are confirmed by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee after the sighting of the moon.
Eid-ul-Fitr (1st Shawwal): Saturday, March 21 to Monday, March 23.
Note: Since Pakistan Day falls on March 23, the government may extend the break depending on the lunar cycle.
Eid-ul-Azha (10th Zil-Haj): Wednesday, May 27 to Friday, May 29.
Observation: This falls during the same week as Youm-e-Takbeer (May 28), resulting in a nearly full-week shutdown for many sectors.
Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram): Wednesday, June 24 and Thursday, June 25.
Eid Milad-un-Nabi (12th Rabi-ul-Awwal): Tuesday, August 25.
The public holidays notification also specifies a secondary category: Optional Holidays. These are “denominational,” meaning they are intended for specific religious groups rather than the whole country.
The Cabinet Division’s circular includes strict guidelines on how these leaves should be granted:
Quota: Muslim government employees are entitled to one (1) optional holiday per year. Non-Muslim employees are granted up to three (3) optional holidays annually.
Permission: These are not automatic. An employee must request the leave from the “Head of Department” or organization.
Work Continuity: Approval is usually granted as long as it does not disrupt essential public services or the core operations of the department.
| Occasion | Date (2026) | Religious Community |
| New Year’s Day | Jan 1 | General |
| Shab-e-Meraj | Jan 17 | Muslim |
| Basant Panchami | Jan 23 | Hindu |
| Shab-e-Barat | Feb 4 | Muslim |
| Holi | Mar 4 | Hindu |
| Good Friday | Apr 3 | Christian |
| Easter Sunday | Apr 5 | Christian |
| Baisakhi | Apr 14 | Sikh |
| Eid-e-Rizwan | Apr 21 | Baháʼí |
| Buddha Purnima | May 24 | Buddhist |
| Chehlum | Aug 4 | Muslim |
| Krishna Janam Ashtami | Sep 4 | Hindu |
| Giyarvee Shareef | Sep 23 | Muslim |
| Diwali | Nov 9 | Hindu |
| Guru Nanak’s Birthday | Nov 24 | Sikh |
In Pakistan, bank holidays differ from public holidays. On these days, the banks are closed for public dealings (the doors are shut to customers), but employees often work inside to finalize ledger accounts, perform audits, or manage Zakat deductions.
January 1 (Thursday): New Year Bank Holiday.
February 18 (Wednesday): 1st Ramazan (Bank Holiday for Zakat deduction).
July 1 (Wednesday): Half-Yearly Accounts Closing.
For the private sector, particularly in manufacturing and services, the public holidays notification raises questions about compensation. Under the Factories Act, 1934 and the Shops and Establishments Ordinance, 1969, the following rules apply:
If a worker is required to work on a festival holiday, they must be allowed a compensatory holiday with full pay. This usually means the worker gets another day off within a certain timeframe to make up for the lost public holiday.
In most industrial sectors, working on a public holiday is treated as “Festival Overtime.” According to labor law standards:
Employees should be paid 300% of their normal wage (the daily wage + 200% overtime premium) for working on a notified public holiday.
The public holidays notification explicitly states that exporters and manufacturers of export goods are exempt from these holidays. This is to ensure that Pakistan’s international trade commitments are met. However, these employers are legally bound to pay their workers overtime at the prescribed legal rates.
Since many govt holidays in Pakistan fall on Fridays or Mondays this year, there are several “Golden Windows” for tourism and rest:
Pakistan Day (Monday, March 23): Follows the weekend of Eid-ul-Fitr. This will likely be a 4-to-5 day holiday block for many.
Labour Day (Friday, May 1): A classic 3-day weekend.
Independence Day (Friday, August 14): Another 3-day weekend perfect for local festivities.
Iqbal Day (Monday, November 9): A 3-day weekend to enjoy the onset of winter.
Quaid Day (Friday, December 25): The final 3-day weekend of the year.
The official circular is available on the Cabinet Division’s website (cabinet.gov.pk). It is usually published in the “Notifications” or “Circulars” section at the start of the year.
While the notification is technically for government employees, the Factories Act and Shops and Establishments Act typically mandate that gazetted holidays be provided as paid leaves to private-sector employees as well.
A public holiday is a universal day off for everyone. An optional holiday is a specific day (like Holi or Shab-e-Barat) where an individual can choose to take a day off from their personal leave quota, provided their supervisor approves it.
No. Schools and educational institutions only close for public holidays. Bank holidays like July 1st are strictly for financial institutions.
Maintaining a current list of public holidays in Pakistan and govt holidays in Pakistan is vital for staying organized in a fast-paced environment. By understanding the official public holidays notification, you can ensure you never miss a banking deadline, capitalize on long weekends, and remain compliant with national labor laws.
