ISLAMABAD: The federal government has officially announced a three-day public holiday across Pakistan on the occasion of Eidul Azha 2026. According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, the holidays will be observed from May 26 to May 28, corresponding to Tuesday through Thursday.
The announcement was made after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the public holidays for Eidul Azha celebrations. The notification was also shared by state-run APP on social media platform X, confirming the dates for government offices and public institutions across the country.
Pakistan is set to celebrate Eidul Azha on May 27 after the Ruet-i-Hilal Committee announced the sighting of the Zilhaj moon earlier this week. The committee confirmed receiving moon sighting testimonies from multiple cities, including Karachi, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Mardan, along with several other areas.
Eidul Azha, also known as Bakra Eid, is one of the most significant Islamic festivals celebrated by Muslims around the world. The religious occasion commemorates the willingness of Prophet Ibrahim (AS) to sacrifice his son in obedience to Allah’s command. Muslims observe the festival by offering Eid prayers and performing animal sacrifices, while also distributing meat among family members and the needy.
The festival also marks the completion of Hajj, one of the five pillars of Islam, performed annually in Saudi Arabia by millions of pilgrims from around the world.
Saudi Arabia is also expected to celebrate Eidul Azha on May 27, according to local media reports. The simultaneous observance in both countries has increased travel activity and preparations for Eid shopping, sacrificial animals and holiday tourism.
The Eid holidays announcement has brought excitement among citizens, with many families planning gatherings and travel during the extended break. Markets, transport services and shopping centres across Pakistan are expected to witness increased activity ahead of the religious festival.
