ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Monday issued an official notification announcing public and optional holidays for the year 2026. According to the notification released by the Cabinet Division, a total of 40 holidays will be observed during the year, including 17 public holidays and 23 optional holidays.
As per the schedule, February 5 will be observed as Kashmir Day, while March 23 will be a public holiday on the occasion of Pakistan Day. Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will be observed from March 21 to 23, 2026.
May 1 has been declared a public holiday for Labour Day, while May 28 will be observed as Youm-e-Takbir. Eid-ul-Adha holidays will fall on May 27, 28 and 29, 2026.
The notification states that June 24 and 25 will be public holidays for the 9th and 10th of Muharram. August 14 will be observed as Independence Day, while August 25, 2026, will be a public holiday on the occasion of Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH).
November 9 will be observed as Iqbal Day, and December 25 as Quaid-e-Azam Day. December 26, 2026, will be a public holiday for Christian employees following Christmas.
The Cabinet Division clarified that Islamic holidays have been fixed according to expected dates, and a separate notification will be issued subject to moon sighting.
According to the notification, January 1, July 1 and 1st Ramadan will be observed as bank holidays in 2026. Muslim government employees will be entitled to only one optional holiday, while non-Muslim government employees may avail up to three optional holidays during the year.
