The Pakistan public holidays schedule 2026 has officially been announced, giving employees, students, businesses, and families a clear roadmap for planning the year. Every year, public holidays play a key role in travel planning, school calendars, and office schedules—and 2026 is no different.
Based on my review of the official notifications and past patterns, Pakistan will observe around 17 public holidays in 2026, including national days, religious occasions, and special holidays for specific communities. These holidays apply across the country unless otherwise stated.
Official Public Holidays in Pakistan – 2026 (Confirmed Dates)
Below is the complete and updated list under the Pakistan public holidays schedule 2026. These dates are followed by government offices, banks, and most private institutions.
National & Gazetted Holidays
| Date | Day | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| February 5 | Thursday | Kashmir Day |
| March 23 | Monday | Pakistan Day |
| May 1 | Friday | Labour Day |
| May 28 | Thursday | Youm-e-Takbeer |
| August 14 | Friday | Independence Day |
| November 9 | Monday | Iqbal Day |
| December 25 | Friday | Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas |
From my point of view, Independence Day and Quaid-e-Azam Day remain the most widely observed nationwide holidays, with closures almost everywhere.
Religious Holidays in Pakistan – 2026 (Subject to Moon Sighting)
Islamic holidays in Pakistan public holidays depend on the official moon sighting announced by the Ruet-e-Hilal Committee. The dates below are expected and may change by one day.
Islamic Holidays
| Date | Day(s) | Holiday Name |
|---|---|---|
| March 21–23 | Saturday to Monday | Eid ul Fitr |
| May 27–28 | Wednesday to Thursday | Eid ul Adha |
| June 25–26 | Thursday to Friday | Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram) |
| August 25 | Tuesday | Eid Milad-un-Nabi ﷺ |
Dates may vary based on moon sighting.
In my experience, Eid holidays usually bring long breaks, especially when combined with weekends, making them ideal for travel or family gatherings.
Special Holiday for Christian Employees
- December 26 (Saturday) – Post-Christmas Holiday
(Applicable to Christian employees only)
This inclusion reflects Pakistan’s policy of accommodating religious minorities in the official holiday framework.
Why the Pakistan Public Holidays Schedule 2026 Matters
The Public Holidays are more than just a list of dates. It directly affects:
- Office and bank operations
- School and university calendars
- Travel and tourism planning
- Business deadlines and payroll cycles
From my research, people who plan leaves early around gazetted holidays usually save money on travel and avoid last-minute stress.
Important Advisory for Citizens
- Always wait for official notifications before finalizing travel plans
- Religious holiday dates can shift due to moon sighting
- Provincial governments may announce additional local holidays
- Banks may issue separate holiday circulars
I strongly recommend keeping an eye on notifications from Government of Pakistan and provincial authorities as holidays approach.
Final Thoughts
The Pakistan public holidays schedule 2026 provides a clear structure for the year, balancing national pride, religious observance, and social inclusion. With proper planning, these holidays can be used not just for rest, but for meaningful family time, travel, and personal growth.
Staying updated and relying only on official announcements is the best way to avoid confusion, especially around religious holidays.
