The government has officially announced public holidays for Eidul Fitr. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan on Sunday, March 20 and March 21 will be observed as public holidays across the country.
The notification stated that all government offices will remain closed on Friday, March 20, and Saturday, March 21. These holidays will apply to institutions that follow both five-day and six-day working schedules.
March 22, which falls on Sunday, will remain the regular weekly holiday. In addition, March 23 is already a national public holiday in Pakistan to celebrate Pakistan Day. Because of these dates, many government employees are expected to enjoy a longer break during the Eid period.
Earlier, Express News had reported that four holidays were likely to be announced. The government later confirmed the holidays through an official notification.
Meanwhile, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had predicted that Eidul Fitr would probably fall on March 21. According to the commission, the chances of seeing the Shawwal moon on March 19 were very low.
SUPARCO explained that at sunset on March 19, the new moon would be around 12 hours and 41 minutes old. There would also be about a 28-minute gap between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal areas.
However, the commission clarified that its forecast is based only on scientific calculations and observations. The final announcement about the sighting of the Shawwal moon will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
The committee is the official body responsible for confirming the beginning of Islamic months in Pakistan based on verified moon-sighting reports from across the country.Government Announces Eidul Fitr Holidays.