Islamabad, March 17, 2026 – The federal government has officially announced two public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The holidays will be observed on March 20 and March 21, 2026, providing a short break for both public and private sector employees across the country.
According to the official notification, the decision was made in continuation of the Cabinet Division’s earlier circular issued on January 19, 2026, which outlined public and optional holidays for the year. The notification stated that Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, 2026, will be public holidays for offices observing both five-day and six-day working weeks.
Eid-ul-Fitr marks the end of the holy month of Ramazan and is celebrated with religious prayers, family gatherings, and charitable activities. Experts believe that Pakistan is likely to complete 30 days of fasting, making March 21 the probable date for Eid celebrations in the country.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has shared astronomical predictions regarding the Shawwal moon sighting. According to SUPARCO, the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is expected to be born on March 19, 2026, at 06:23 AM Pakistan Standard Time (PST). At sunset on the same day, the moon will be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes old, with a visibility window of about 28 minutes between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal regions.
Despite these scientific projections, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will make the final decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the official date of Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan.
To facilitate travelers ahead of the festival, Pakistan Railways has also announced the operation of four special Eid trains. The first train will depart from Lahore to Karachi on March 16, followed by another service from Quetta to Rawalpindi on March 17. A third train will run from Karachi to Peshawar on March 17, while the fourth special train will depart Karachi for Lahore on March 18.
Officials say these special train services aim to accommodate the surge in passenger traffic during the Eid holidays and ensure safe, convenient travel for people returning to their hometowns to celebrate the festival with family.