ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan has declared a nationwide bank holiday, which will affect all banks throughout Pakistan.
The State Bank of Pakistan issued an announcement which stated that all banks and development finance institutions and microfinance banks will be closed on February 5 because of Kashmir Solidarity Day.
The State Bank of Pakistan will also remain closed on the same day. All banking activities, including transactions and clearing and all financial services will not operate at commercial banks and financial institutions.
Government notifies official public holidays for 2026
Moreover, the federal government 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.
