The Punjab government has announced public holidays on the occasion of Eid ul Fitr 2026, effectively giving residents a five-day break when combined with the weekend and March 23 holiday.
A notification issued by the Government of Punjab’s Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing), dated March 18, 2026, states that March 19, 20 and 21 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) will be observed as public holidays for Eid ul Fitr across the province.
With Sunday falling immediately after, and the March 23 public holiday also following, the break stretches to five holidays in total for many people.
The notification adds that the announcement should be published in major English and Urdu newspapers at national and regional levels, and also shared through electronic media for wider public awareness.
Meanwhile, experts say Eid ul Fitr is expected to fall around March 21, as Pakistan is likely to observe 30 days of Ramadan this year.
In its assessment, the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) stated that the Shawwal 1447 AH moon is forecast to be formed on March 19, 2026, at 6:23am (PST).
Suparco added that by sunset on March 19, the moon would be roughly 12 hours and 41 minutes old, and along Pakistan’s coastal areas, the time between sunset and moonset is estimated at about 28 minutes, a factor often considered when evaluating visibility.
The agency also clarified that its analysis is only guidance, and that the final call on moon sighting and the official Eid announcement will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.