A great news to citizens and government employees and people in the private sector throughout the nation. After the official announcement by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee on the moon sighting for the Zil Hajj, the federal government has officially announced the programme of Eid ul Azha holidays in Pakistan. The Honourable long weekend for citizens this year will be used to personally celebrate the auspicious festival of Sacrifice with their families and loved ones.
Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Final Decision
Islamic festivals have always begun in Pakistan with the visual sighting of the lunar crescent. After the meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the moon sighting reports were received from different parts of the country after confirming them. Consequently, the 1st of Zil Hajj 1447 AH began on May 18, 2026. Following this religious and legal agreement, Eid ul Azha will be observed throughout Pakistan with a traditional religious enthusiasm on Wednesday May 27, 2026.
Federal Cabinet Notification: Complete Holiday Schedule
The Cabinet Division of the Government of Pakistan has finalized the public holiday schedule in line with the approved 2026 calendar. According to the Official Cabinet Division Public Holidays Circular, the federal government has approved a three-day official holiday stretch:
- May 27, 2026 (Wednesday): Eid ul Azha Day 1 (Public Holiday)
- May 28, 2026 (Thursday): Eid ul Azha Day 2 (Public Holiday)
- May 29, 2026 (Friday): Eid ul Azha Day 3 (Public Holiday)
A Continuous 5-Day Extended Holiday Break
They tie in with the other official holidays fairly easily since they all have fallen in the middle three days of the weekend (Wednesday, Thursday and Friday). Employees from government offices, government institutions, banks and most private corporations will have a continuous 5-day long holiday break going from Saturday (May 30) till Sunday (May 31). Enough time is extended for those who travel and return to their villages, or those who keep the ritual of sacrifice of their animals without becoming anxious to return to work.
Eid Preparations, Waste Management, and Security Arrangements
The formal declaration of the holidays has placed major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Multan on high alert from local administration and municipal corporations. The coordination of security measures is kept under strict guidance of the Ministry of Interior. At the same time, the companies of solid waste disposal have prepared special plans for working in normal conditions on the festive days to ensure the correct disposal of animal waste in a timely manner and also to keep the urban environment in a suitable state.
