According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Division, all government offices will remain closed on March 20 and 21 (Friday and Saturday). The holidays will apply to public institutions operating under both five-day and six-day working weeks.
March 22, Sunday, will remain a regular weekly holiday, while March 23, Monday, will already be observed as a nationwide public holiday to mark Pakistan Day. As a result, government employees are expected to receive an extended break around the Eid period.
It is worth noting that Express News had reported the four holidays a day before the notification was issued, while the government released the official holiday notification today.
کابینہ ڈویژن نے عیدالفطر کے موقع پر 20 اور 21 مارچ کو سرکاری چھٹیوں کا اعلان کر دیا۔#EidUlFitr #PublicHoliday #CabinetDivision #PakistanNews #FestiveHolidays #March20 #March21 #PakistaniGovernment #BreakingNews #EidCelebration #HolidayAnnouncement pic.twitter.com/ybH3wdKWf7
— APP (@appcsocialmedia) March 15, 2026
The Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had already predicted that Eidul Fitr was likely to fall on March 21, as the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 19 were considered very low.
“At the time of sunset on March 19, the age of the new moon would be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with an estimated 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt,” the statement from SUPARCO had said.
The commission had said the prediction was based on scientific calculations and observations, but had emphasised that the relevant religious authority would make the official announcement.
“The final decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the commencement of Eid-ul-Fitr 1447 AH would be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Pakistan, which is the sole competent authority to announce the beginning of Islamic months on credible witness testimonies and verified observations from across the country,” the statement had said.