Big News: Punjab Releases Public Holidays Calendar 2026

The Punjab government has officially announced the public holidays calendar for 2026, bringing clarity for government employees, private institutions, banks, and businesses across the province. The notification confirms that Punjab will observe all public holidays approved by the federal government, along with several provincial, religious, and optional holidays.

This announcement helps citizens plan their work schedules, travel, and family activities in advance. Religious minorities have also been given special consideration through optional and community-specific holidays. The decision reflects the government’s effort to ensure inclusivity and proper work-life balance for all employees.

Holiday Type	Key Information
National Holidays	Kashmir Day, Pakistan Day, Independence Day
Religious Holidays	Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha, Ashura
Islamic Events	Youm-e-Takbeer, Eid Milad-un-Nabi
Quaid & Iqbal Days	November 9 and December 25
Minority Holiday	Boxing Day (Christians only)
Bank Holidays	January 1, February 18, July 1
Optional Leaves	1 for Muslims, 3 for non-Muslims
Local Holidays	2 per district (except Lahore)

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Punjab Public Holidays 2026 Notification Explained

The Punjab public holidays 2026 notification clearly states that all holidays announced by the federal government will be implemented in the province without changes. This ensures uniformity across Pakistan and avoids confusion among departments.

Key points explained in the notification include:

All government offices will remain closed on officially declared holidays
Educational institutions will follow the same calendar unless notified otherwise
Private organizations may adjust holidays based on operational needs
Lahore district will receive separate announcements for local holidays

For official updates and future notifications, citizens can visit the Punjab government’s official website:
👉 https://punjab.gov.pk

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National and Religious Holidays in Punjab 2026

Punjab will observe all major national and religious holidays in 2026, giving importance to both state events and religious traditions.

Important national and religious holidays include:

Kashmir Day – February 5
Pakistan Day – March 23
Independence Day – August 14
Youm-e-Takbeer – May 28
Eid Milad-un-Nabi (PBUH) – August 25
Allama Iqbal Day – November 9
Quaid-e-Azam Day & Christmas – December 25

These holidays will be observed across the province, allowing citizens to take part in national ceremonies and religious gatherings.

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Eid ul-Fitr, Eid ul-Adha and Ashura Holidays 2026

Religious festivals hold great importance in Punjab, and the government has announced multiple-day holidays for major Islamic events.

The announced religious holiday schedule includes:

Eid ul-Fitr: March 21 to March 23
Eid ul-Adha: May 27 to May 29
Ashura: June 24 and June 25

These extended breaks allow families to travel, perform religious duties, and celebrate festivals peacefully. Final dates may slightly change depending on moon sighting, as per tradition.

Bank Holidays and Optional Leaves Policy 2026

The Punjab government has also confirmed bank holidays and optional leave policies for 2026 to accommodate financial operations and religious diversity.

Bank holidays announced for 2026 are:

January 1 – New Year
February 18 – Bank holiday
July 1 – Start of fiscal year

Optional leave policy details:

Muslim employees can take one optional holiday per year
Non-Muslim employees are allowed three optional holidays
Prior approval from department heads is mandatory

This policy promotes inclusivity while maintaining administrative discipline.

Local and Minority Holidays in Punjab 2026

Special arrangements have been made for local and minority holidays to respect regional and religious diversity.

Key highlights include:

December 26 (Boxing Day) will be a public holiday only for Christian employees
District Commissioners can declare two local holidays per district
Lahore district holidays will be announced by the provincial government only

These steps ensure equal opportunities for all communities while maintaining smooth governance.

Conclusion

The Punjab public holidays calendar 2026 offers a well-balanced schedule covering national events, religious festivals, bank holidays, optional leaves, and minority rights. By aligning provincial holidays with federal announcements and introducing flexible options, the government has provided clarity and convenience to employees across Punjab. This structured approach will help citizens plan their personal, professional, and religious activities throughout the year without confusion.