The forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr holiday, originally set for five days, may be substantially extended to a ten-day period, providing considerable convenience for citizens travelling home to mark the festival with their families.
Sources within the Ministry of Public Administration have indicated that the government is actively considering extending the Eid break to allow households more time together during one of the year’s most significant religious celebrations.
Eid-ul-Fitr, which marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan, is expected to fall on 21 March, subject to the sighting of the moon for the Arabic month of Shaban. The government has so far officially declared 19 to 23 March as the Eid holiday.
Following the current holiday period, government offices are scheduled to reopen on 24 and 25 March. However, 26 March, Thursday, coincides with the national observance of Independence Day, and the subsequent Friday and Saturday are weekly public holidays, presenting the possibility of an extended long weekend.
If executive orders are issued to include 24 and 25 March as holidays, Eid celebrations could effectively span ten consecutive days, offering citizens one of the longest festive breaks in recent memory.
In addition, 17 March, Tuesday, is designated as a public holiday for Shab-e-Qadr, observed during the last ten nights of Ramadan and regarded as one of the holiest nights of the Islamic calendar.
A spokesperson from the Ministry of Public Administration explained that proposals for extending the holiday by one or more days could be submitted, though the Cabinet will make the ultimate decision.
The lunar sighting for Ramadan was officially confirmed on 18 February, with the first day of fasting beginning on 19 February. Based on this timeline, Eid celebrations are projected for 21 March, pending the sighting of the Shawwal moon.
The potential holiday schedule is summarised below for clarity:
| Date | Day | Occasion / Note | Holiday Status |
|---|---|---|---|
| 17 March | Tuesday | Shab-e-Qadr | Public holiday |
| 19–23 March | Sunday–Thursday | Eid-ul-Fitr | Official holiday |
| 24–25 March | Friday–Saturday | Potential extension via executive order | Pending confirmation |
| 26 March | Thursday | Independence Day | Public holiday |
| 27–28 March | Friday–Saturday | Weekly weekend | Regular holiday |
Should the extension be confirmed, Eid 2026 would provide citizens with an unprecedentedly long festive period, allowing families to reunite and communities to celebrate with greater ease. This move also underscores the government’s recognition of logistical challenges for returning travellers during major religious festivals, aiming to facilitate a smoother and more enjoyable celebration for all.