The Federal Government has released a complete list of Public Holidays in Pakistan for 2024, including a list of Optional Holidays. The notification, issued by the Cabinet Division, provides citizens with a roadmap for upcoming public holidays in Pakistan during 2024, allowing them to make plans accordingly.
Like the year, the first Public Holiday in Pakistan falls on 5 February 2024 on the occasion of Kashmir Day and the last holiday of the year will be observed on 25 December 2024 for Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas. However, there is an additional holiday on 26 December 2024 for the Christian community for Christmas.
Below we have compiled a complete list of of all the Public Holidays in Pakistan for 2024 with all their details.
Public Holidays in Pakistan 2024
| Name of occasion | Days | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Kashmir Day | Monday | 5 February 2024 |
| Pakistan Day | Saturday | 23 March 2024 |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 10, 11, 12 April 2024 |
| Labour Day | Wednesday | 1 May 2024 |
| Eid-ul-Azha | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday | 17, 18, 19 June 2024 |
| Ashura (9th, 10 Muharram) | Tuesday, Wednesday | 16, 17 July 2024 |
| Independence Day | Wednesday | 14 August 2024 |
| Eid-Milad-un-Nabi | Monday | 16 September 2024 |
| Allama Iqbal Day | Saturday | 9 November 2024 |
| Quaid-e-Azam Day/Christmas | Wednesday | 25 December 2024 |
| Day After Christmas | Thursday | 26 December 2024 (Christians Only) |
NOTE: In case of Muslim Festivals, the dates are subject to the appearance of moon for which the government will issue separate notifications. This applies for the Eid ul Azha Holidays in 2024, Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays in 2024, Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram) Holiday in 2024, and Eid Milad un Nabi Holiday in 2024.
Bank Holidays 2024
There are three bank holidays already announced by the Cabinet Division, however, these do not include holidays that will be observed on occasions listed in the table above.
The bank holidays for 2024 are:
- 1 January 2024 (Monday
- 11 March 2024 (Monday) for Zakat Deduction (subject to sighting of moon)
- 1 July 2024 (Monday)
It is pertinent to mention that bank holidays mentioned above only apply to customers and employees will fulfill their duties normally.
Optional Holidays 2024
| Occasion | Days | Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year Day | Monday | 1 January 2024 |
| Basant Panchami | Wednesday | 14 February 2024 |
| Shiv Ratri | Friday | 8 March 2024 |
| Shab-e-Mairaj | Wednesday | 7 February 2024 |
| Holi | Sunday | 24 March 2024 |
| Dulhandi | Monday | 25 March 2024 |
| Shab-e-Barat | Sunday | 25 February 2024 |
| Good Friday | Friday | 29 March 2024 |
| Easter / Day After Easter | Sunday, Monday | 31 March, 1 April 2024 |
| Baisakhi | Saturday | 13 April 2024 |
| Eid-e-Rizwan | Sunday | 21 April 2024 |
| Buddha Purnima | Saturday | 23 March 2024 |
| Nauroze | Thursday | 15 August 2024 |
| Birthday of Lord Zoroaster | Tuesday | 20 August 2024 |
| Chehlum | Wednesday | 27 August 2024 |
| Janam ashtami | Monday | 26 August 2024 |
| Durga Poja | Friday | 11 October 2024 |
| Dussehra | Saturday | 12 October 2024 |
| Giyarhvi Shareef | Wednesday | 16 October 2024 |
| Birthday of Guru Valmik Swami Ji | Tuesday | 17 October 2024 |
| Diwali | Friday | 1 November 2024 |
| Guru Nanak Dev Ji Birthday | Friday | 15 November 2024 |
Government employees who want to avail an optional holiday must take prior permission of the Head of Office. Furthermore, an employee can only avail one optional holiday if they are Muslim and three if they are non-Muslim in a calendar year.
“The grant of this concession should not result in any dislocation of work. In the case of Muslim optional holidays, the number of persons permitted to avail optional holidays should be regulated in a manner so that adequate staff is available for proper continuance of the work. The optional holidays are denominational and may be allowed at the discretion of the Head of Office, provided that work does not suffer.” read the notification.
“A Government Servant should not ordinarily be refused an Optional Holiday that is of religious significance and the refusal is likely to decrease the number of such holidays to which he/she is entitled.” the notification added.
Here is a copy of the notification regarding Public Holidays in Pakistan for 2024:
