The Pakistani government declared public holidays for Eidul Fitr this weekend, issuing an official notification that March 20 and 21 would be national days off. The Cabinet Division announced all government offices will remain closed during these two days, affecting both five-day and six-day working schedules in public institutions across the country.
March 22, Sunday, is also a regular holiday, while March 23, Monday, is already a nationwide day off to commemorate Pakistan Day. This arrangement ensures that government employees can benefit from an extended Eid break ahead of the festive period.
Previously reported by Express News, this news was released today after its initial announcement on Saturday. The country’s space research agency had earlier forecasted that Eidul Fitr would coincide with March 21, based on calculations and observations regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent on March 19.
SUPARCO (Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission) stated that, at sunset on March 19, the new moon’s age was projected to be about 12 hours and 41 minutes, with a potential 28-minute window between sunset and moonset along coastal regions of Pakistan.
The commission emphasized that their prediction was based on scientific calculations and observations but noted that the official announcement for Eidul Fitr would come from the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee in Pakistan. This committee is mandated to confirm the sighting of the crescent and commence Eid-ul-Fitr by assessing credible witness testimonies and verified observational data from various parts of the nation.
With these details, government employees can now prepare for a three-day break encompassing both Saturday and Sunday, providing them with valuable time off during the upcoming festivities.