ISLAMABAD — The federal government has declared Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21, as public holidays across Pakistan on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division on Sunday. The announcement applies to offices observing both five- and six-day working weeks.
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The declaration follows a statement by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, who confirmed the official holidays for the nationwide observance of the festive occasion. Eid ul Fitr marks the end of the month-long fasting period of Ramadan, observed by millions of Pakistanis.
Experts have suggested that Eid ul Fitr is likely to fall on March 21, following the expected birth of the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH on March 19 at 06:23 PST, according to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco). Suparco noted that the age of the new moon at sunset would be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with a 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt.
However, the final decision on the crescent sighting and the official start of Eid ul Fitr will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
In preparation for the holidays, Pakistan Railways has announced the operation of four special trains to facilitate passenger travel across the country. The first train will depart from Lahore to Karachi on March 16, followed by Quetta to Rawalpindi on March 17. On the same day, a train will operate from Karachi to Peshawar, and the fourth special train will run from Karachi to Lahore on March 18.
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The special train operations aim to accommodate increased passenger traffic during the festive period while ensuring safe and timely travel for citizens returning to their hometowns to celebrate Eid ul Fitr with family.