ISLAMABAD: The Federal Government has announced a complete list of public holidays in Pakistan for 2021 according to a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior.
According to the notification, there are a total of 10 public holidays in Pakistan for 2021 starting 5th February for Kashmir Day with a last holiday of the year being observed on 25th December for Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas.
However, there is an additional holiday on 26th December (day after Christmas) for Christians only. Below we have compiled a complete list of holidays with their details.
Public Holidays in Pakistan for 2021
| Occasion | Days | Dates |
|---|---|---|
| Kashmir Day | Friday | 5th February 2021 |
| Pakistan Day | Tuesday | 23ed March 2021 |
| Labour Day | Saturday | 1st May 2021 |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | Friday, Saturday, Sunday | 14th, 15th, 16th May 2021 |
| Eid-ul-Azha | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday | 21st, 22nd, 23rd July 2021 |
| Independence Day | Saturday | 14th August 2021 |
| Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram) | Wednesday, Thursday | 18th, 19th August 2021 |
| Eid Milad-un-Nabi | Tuesday | 19th October 2021 |
| Quaid-e-Azam Day | Saturday | 25th December 2021 |
| Day after Christmas | Sunday | 26th December 2021 |
NOTE: (*) In case of Muslim Festivals, the dates are subject to the appearance of moon for which the government will issue separate notifications.
Bank Holidays 2021
- 1st January 2021 – Friday
- 14th April 2021 – Wednesday (Corresponding to 1st Ramazam and subject to appearance of moon)
- 1st July 2021 – Thursday
This was a list of all bank holidays to be observed during 2021. However, it is pertinent to mention that on these mentioned dates, the banks / DFIs / MFBs will remain closed for public only but employees will fulfill their duties normally.
Optional Holidays 2021
| Occasion | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| New Year Day | Friday | 1st January 2021 |
| Basant Punchami | Tuesday | 16th February 2021 |
| Shivaratri | Thursday | 11th March 2021 |
| Shab-e-Meraj | Friday | 12th March 2021 |
| Holi | Sunday or Monday | 28th, 29th March 2021 |
| Dulhandi | Monday | 29th March 2021 |
| Shab-e-Barat | Monday | 29th March 2021 |
| Good Friday | Friday | 2nd April 2021 |
| Easter/ Day After Easter Sunday | Sunday/Monday | 4th, 5th April 2021 |
| Baisakhi | Wednesday | 14th April 2021 |
| Ed-e-Rizwan (Bohai’s Community Only) | Wednesday | 21st April 2021 |
| Buddha Purnima | Wednesday | 26th May 2021 |
| Nauroze (Parsi’s New Year Day) | Monday | 16th August 2021 |
| Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal) | Saturday | 21st August 2021 |
| Janam Ashtami | Monday | 23rd August 2021 |
| Chehlum (201″ Safar 1443 AH) | Tuesday | 28th September 2021 |
| Durga Puja | Monday | 13th September 2021 |
| Dussehra | Wednesday | 15th September 2021 |
| Giyarvee Shareef (11th Rabi- Us-Sani 1443 AH) | Monday | 18th October 2021 |
| Birthday of Guru Valmik Sawami Ji | Wednesday | 20th October 2021 |
| Diwali | Thursday | 4th November 2021 |
| Guru Nonak Dev Jee Birthday | Thursday | 18th November 2021 |
These optional holidays have been announced for government employees only. However, an employee can only avail one optional holiday if they are Muslim and three if they are non-Muslim.
“The Government servants desiring to avail themselves of Optional Holidays shall take prior permission of the Head of Office concerned and no Government Servant shall be granted more than one optional holiday in the case of Muslims and three optional holidays for Non-Muslims, in a calendar year,” read the notification.
“The grant of this concession should not result in any dislocation of work. In 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 notification added.
“The optional holidays are denominational and may be allowed at the discretion of the Head of Office, provided that work does not suffer,” it said.
“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 she/ he is entitled.”
Here is a copy of the notification regarding public holidays in Pakistan for 2021:
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