Pakistan declares 2026 official and optional holidays – check here

ISLAMABAD: The Government of Pakistan has announced the official and optional holidays for 2026. Holidays will be given on national days, religious festivals, and important occasions of minority communities.

Official Holidays

• National Days: Kashmir Day (Feb 5), Pakistan Day (Mar 23), Independence Day (Aug 14)

• Religious Festivals:

  • Eid-ul-Fitr: Mar 21–23

  • Eid-ul-Adha: May 27–29

  • Youm-e-Ashura: Jun 24–25

  • Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH): Aug 25

• Other Important Days: Labor Day (May 1), Youm-e-Takbir (May 28), Allama Iqbal Day (Nov 9), Quaid-e-Azam Day & Christmas (Dec 25), and Dec 26 for Christian employees

Bank Holidays

• January 1, February 18 (for Zakat deduction), and July 1 will be bank holidays, but bank staff will still be present.

Optional Holidays

Optional holidays include Shab-e-Miraj, Shab-e-Barat, Holi, Diwali, Guru Nanak Jayanti, and other religious or cultural festivals. The dates of Muslim festivals will depend on the moon sighting, and a separate notification will be issued.

Optional holidays will be granted with the permission of the head of the institution, ensuring official work is not affected. Export institutions are exempt from these holidays, but workers will receive overtime pay if they work on holidays.

This notification helps employees and the public plan their holidays for 2026 in advance.

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