The government of Punjab has announced public holidays for Eid ul Fitr 2026, giving many residents a five-day break when combined with the weekend and the March 23 public holiday.
According to an official notification issued on March 18, 2026, by the Services and General Administration Department (Welfare Wing), March 19, 20, and 21 (Thursday, Friday, and Saturday) will be observed as public holidays for Eid ul Fitr across the province.
With Sunday already a weekly holiday and March 23 celebrated as Pakistan Day, many people will enjoy an long holidays break.
Notification to Be Published Nationwide
The notification also directed authorities to publish the announcement in major English and Urdu newspapers at both national and regional levels.
It further instructed that the information should be shared through electronic media so the public across the province is fully informed about the holidays.
Expected Date of Eid ul Fitr 2026
Experts believe Eid ul Fitr is likely to fall on March 21, as Pakistan is expected to complete 30 days of Ramadan this year.
Suparco Forecast on Shawwal Moon
According to the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco), the Shawwal 1447 AH moon is expected to be formed on March 19, 2026, at 6:23 AM (PST).
By sunset on March 19, the moon will be around 12 hours and 41 minutes old. Along Pakistan’s coastal areas, the gap between sunset and moonset is expected to be about 28 minutes, which is one of the key factors considered in determining moon visibility.
Final Decision on Moon Sighting
Suparco clarified that its forecast is only a scientific assessment. The final announcement about the sighting of the Shawwal moon and the official date of Eid will be made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
