The holiday will apply to public institutions operating under both five-day and six-day work weeks
Muslim devotees greet each other after offering Eid prayers at the historic Badshahi Mosque during Eid. Photo: AFP
The government on Sunday announced public holidays on the occasion of Eidul Fitr issuing an official notification declaring March 20 and 21 as public holidays across the country.
According to the notification issued by the Cabinet Department, all government offices will remain closed on March 20 and 21 (Friday and Saturday). The holiday will apply to public institutions operating under both five-day and six-day work weeks.
March 22, Sunday, will remain a regular weekly holiday, while March 23, Monday, will already be observed as a nationwide holiday to mark Pakistan Day. As a result, government employees are expected to have a longer break around the Eid period.
It is worth noting Express news had reported the four public holidays the day before the notification was issued, while today the government issued the official public holiday notification.
The Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission had already predicted that Eidul Fitr was likely to fall on March 21 as the chances of sighting the Shawwal crescent on March 19 were considered very low.
“At the time of sunset on March 19, the age of the new moon would be approximately 12 hours and 41 minutes, with an estimated 28-minute interval between sunset and moonset along Pakistan’s coastal belt,” the SUPARCO statement said.
The commission had said the prediction was based on scientific calculations and observations, but had stressed that the relevant religious authority would make the official announcement.
“The final decision regarding the sighting of the Shawwal crescent and the commencement of Eid-ul-Fitr 1447 AH would be taken by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee of Pakistan, which is the only competent authority to announce the beginning of Islamic months on credible testimonies and verified sightings from across the country,” the nationwide statement said.
