KARACHI: The Sindh government has officially declared public holidays for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, according to reports. As per a notification issued by Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, all provincial government offices will remain closed on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21.
The تعطیلات will apply not only to government departments but also to semi-government institutions, metropolitan corporations, and local councils. However, essential service departments will continue their operations and will not observe the تعطیل period.
At the federal level, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has also approved the same two-day holiday schedule. A notification issued by the Cabinet Division confirms that offices operating on both five-day and six-day workweeks will remain closed on March 20 and 21.
Although the official holidays span two days, many government employees are expected to enjoy an extended break. With Sunday (March 22) falling immediately after, and Pakistan Day on March 23, the تعطیلات effectively stretch to a four-day long weekend from Friday through Monday.
Earlier, the SUPARCO had predicted that Eid-ul-Fitr is likely to be observed on March 21, 2026, based on astronomical calculations. According to the agency, the Shawwal moon will be born on March 19 at 6:23am, but the chances of sighting it that evening are low due to limited visibility conditions.
Based on these observations, SUPARCO anticipates that the first day of Shawwal (1447 AH) will fall on March 21. However, the final announcement will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which is responsible for confirming the start of Islamic months in Pakistan.
