The federal government on Wednesday announced holidays for the upcoming Eidul Azha, facilitating the public sector with nearly a whole week off while penalizing the private sector.
“The prime minister has been pleased to declare May 26, 27 and 28, 2026 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) as public holidays on the occasion of [Eidul Azha],” read the notification issued by the Cabinet Division.
This leaves just two days off for Eid, with no official holiday announced for the third day. The announcement effectively penalizes the private sector, a majority of which operates on Friday, while many companies outside of the federal capital also operate on Saturday. However, it facilitates the public sector, as the government is currently imposing “work from home” for government employees on Fridays.
Essentially, government offices will remain closed from May 26-June 1, enjoying nearly an entire week off. Private offices, however, will return to work on May 29, particularly affecting Pakistanis wishing to return to their hometowns to celebrate the festival.
Last week, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee announced Eid would fall on May 27, as the crescent for the month of Zilhaj was sighted on May 17.