The federal government has officially released the 2026 public holiday calendar, covering national, religious, and minority observances. The Cabinet Division issued a formal notification detailing all official and optional holidays.
The first 2026 public holiday of the year will be Kashmir Day, observed on Thursday, February 5. Pakistan Day will follow on Monday, March 23.
Eid-ul-Fitr holidays are scheduled for March 21, 22, and 23, depending on moon sighting. Labor Day will be marked on May 1, while Youm-e-Takbeer falls on May 28.
Eid-ul-Adha holidays are set for May 27 to May 29. The 9th and 10th of Muharram will be observed as public holidays on June 24 and June 25.
Independence Day will be celebrated with a 2026 public holiday on Friday, August 14. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) will be observed on Tuesday, August 25.
Iqbal Day is declared a public holiday on Monday, November 9. December 25 will mark both Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah’s birthday and Christmas Day. December 26 is designated as a holiday for the Christian community.
The notification also includes bank and optional holidays for employees in different sectors. These measures ensure that all communities and government offices have clarity on official leave dates.
Officials said that publishing the 2026 public holiday schedule early helps organizations, schools, and businesses plan work and vacation schedules in advance.
This calendar covers all federal institutions and encourages state departments to observe religious and national events on the announced dates. You can also see how local events impact official holidays in Public Holiday Announced for Sakhi Jam Datar’s Annual Urs.
By providing a complete list of public and optional holidays, the government aims to streamline planning for offices, banks, and private organizations across the country.
Authorities emphasized that employees should follow the schedule and confirm holiday dates for departmental planning. Optional holidays remain at the discretion of specific institutions.
The announcement of the 2026 public holiday schedule reflects the government’s effort to standardize observances and improve transparency. Citizens are encouraged to plan national, religious, and cultural events.
