The federal government has officially released the annual list of public and optional holidays, outlining key national, religious and cultural observances across Pakistan for the year.

According to the notification issued in Islamabad, there will be 11 public holidays and 23 optional holidays observed nationwide during the year. These holidays will apply to federal offices, while provinces may issue separate notifications.

The schedule provides clarity for government departments, businesses and the general public to plan ahead.

Bank holidays confirmed

Banks will remain closed on February 18 and July 1, in addition to the already observed January 1 holiday. These closures are part of the official banking holiday schedule announced alongside the public holidays.

National days, key public holidays

The government confirmed that February 5 will be observed as Kashmir Day, while March 23 will mark Pakistan Day. May 1 will be celebrated as Labour Day, followed by May 28, which will be a public holiday on Youm-e-Takbir.

August 14 will be observed as Independence Day, while November 9 will mark Iqbal Day across the country.

Expected Eid holidays

The expected Eid-ul-Fitr holidays are scheduled for February 21, 22 and 23, subject to moon sighting. Meanwhile, Eid-ul-Adha holidays are expected to fall on May 27, 28 and 29, officials said.

These dates are provisional and may be adjusted based on the official moon sighting announcements.

Religious observances

The ninth and tenth of Muharram will be observed on June 24 and 25, marking an important religious period. Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) is scheduled to be celebrated on August 25.

These holidays will be observed with due respect and official closures as per tradition.

December 25 will be a public holiday nationwide on Quaid-e-Azam Day, coinciding with Christmas. Additionally, December 26 has been declared a holiday specifically for the Christian community, allowing minority employees to observe their religious occasion.