Public holidays in Pakistan are observed on days of national and Islamic importance. as per the Islamic calendar for religious purposes and the Gregorian calendar for civil purposes. Some holidays are celebrated as festivals while some others are of either national or religious importance. Families' get to gathers are arranged, and people visit parks, museums, forts, historical places etc.
The government also offers optional holidays for minorities; and also on some important Islamic dates on which public holiday is not announced.
List of National Public/ Gazetted Holidays in Pakistan
National holidays like Kashmir Day, Labour day, Pakistan day, Independence day and Quaid-i-Azam Day are celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar.
Date
|
Holiday
|
Details
|
01
January
|
Bank
Holiday
|
Banks
will remain closed for public but not for employees.
|
05
February
|
Kashmir
Day/ Kashmir Solidarity Day
|
Observed
since 1990 as a day of protest against Indian occupation of the Indian part of Jammu and Kashmir. It shows Pakistan’s support and unity with the people of Indian-occupied Kashmir and their freedom struggle.
|
23
March
|
Pakistan
Day
|
Commemorates
the Lahore Resolution of 1940, which formally demanded an independent Muslim-majority state to be created out of the British Indian Empire.
|
01
May
|
Labour
Day
|
It is celebrated for the achievements of workers/labor |
01
July
|
Bank
Holiday
|
Banks
will remain closed for public but not for employees.
|
14
August
|
Independence
Day
|
Marking
Pakistan's independence from the British rule in 1947
|
25
December
|
Birthday
of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah
|
Birthday
of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan
|
25
December
|
Christmas
Day
|
Observed
by Christians only
|
List of Islamic Public/ Gazetted Holidays in Pakistan
Islamic Holidays are subject to appearance of the moon and based on Lunar Islamic Calendar. Islamic holidays are observed as per the Islamic Calendar. Holidays on Eids (Eid-ul-Fitr and Eid-ul-Adha) are the longest holidays which are usually three days on each eid.
Date
|
Holiday
|
Comments
|
| 01~03 Shawwal |
Eid-ul-Fitr
Holiday
|
Marks
the end of the fasting month of Ramadan
|
| 10~12 Dhu Al-Hijjah |
Eid
ul-Azha Holiday
|
Marks
the end of the Hajj pilgrimage; sacrifices offered on this day commemorate
Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son
|
| 9~10 Muharram |
Ashura
|
9th
day of Muharram Marks the end of the mourning for the martyred Imam Hussain
ibn Ali
|
| 12 Rabi' al-awwal |
Eid
Milad-un-Nabi
|
Birthday
of the Hazrat Muhammad (PBUH)
|
Regional/ Provincial Holidays
Provincial governments can also announce public holidays for the people of their province only.