ISLAMABAD – Pakistani government revealed masses and optional holidays for year 2026, bringing clarity for citizens, offices, and institutions across the country.
A notification shared by Cabinet Secretariat, through the Cabinet Division, revealed schedule covering national, religious, and minority festivals.
Public Holidays in Pakistan 2026
| Sr. # | Occasion | Days | Dates |
| 1 | Kashmir Day | Thursday | 5th February, 2026 |
| 2 | Pakistan Day | Monday | 23rd March, 2026 |
| 3* | Eid-ul-Fitr (1st Shawal 1447 A.H) | Saturday, Sunday & Monday | 21st, 22nd & 23rd March 2026 |
| 4 | Labour Day | Friday | 1st May, 2026 |
| 5 | Youm-e-Takbeer | Thursday | 28th May, 2026 |
| 6* | Eid-ul-Azha (10th Zil Haj 1447 A.H) | Wednesday, Thursday & Friday | 27th, 28th & 29th May, 2026 |
| 7* | Ashura (9th & 10th Moharram 1448 A.H) | Wednesday & Thursday | 24th & 25th June, 2026 |
| 8 | Independence Day | Friday | 14th August, 2026 |
| 9* | Eid Milad-un-Nabi (12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1448 A.H) | Tuesday | 25th August, 2026 |
| 10 | Allama Iqbal Day | Monday | 9th November, 2026 |
| 11 | Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas | Friday | 25th December, 2026 |
| 12 | Day after Christmas | Saturday | 26th December, 2026 (For Christians only) |
According to the official notification, the first public holiday of 2026 will be observed on Kashmir Day, falling on Thursday, 5 February. This will be followed by a holiday on Pakistan Day, which will be observed on Monday, 23 March.
Holidays in Pakistan
The much-awaited Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will be observed for three consecutive days on 21, 22, and 23 March. A public holiday will also be observed on 1 May in connection with International Labour Day, while 28 May will be marked as a public holiday on the occasion of Youm-e-Takbeer.
Later in the year, Eid-ul-Adha holidays will be observed on 27, 28, and 29 May. In addition, 9th and 10th Muharram—corresponding to 24 and 25 June—will also be observed as public holidays.
The schedule further states that Pakistan’s Independence Day will be celebrated with a public holiday on Friday, 14 August, followed by a holiday on Tuesday, 25 August on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (ﷺ).
A public holiday will be observed on Monday, 9 November to mark the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal. The year will conclude with a major holiday on 25 December, observed jointly for Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday and Christmas. Additionally, 26 December will be a holiday exclusively for the Christian community.
Apart from public holidays, the government has also announced bank holidays on 1 January, 18 February, and 1 July.
The release of the 2026 holiday calendar has been welcomed by employees, businesses, and educational institutions, allowing them to plan well in advance for the year ahead.
2026 public holidays schedule in Pakistan: Key dates revealed
