The federal government has officially announced the schedule of public and optional holidays for the approaching year of 2024.
The series of holidays will commence on February 5 and conclude on December 26, spanning a total of 33 days, encompassing both public and optional holidays, as per the notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat.
Public Holidays 2024:
| S No | Occasion | Day/Dates |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashmir Day | Monday, February 5 |
| 2 | Pakistan Day | Saturday, March 23 |
| 3 | Eid ul Fitr (Shawwal 1, 1445 AH) | Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, April 10, 11, 12 |
| 4 | Labour Day | Wednesday, May 1 |
| 5 | Eid ul Adha (Zil Hajj 10, 1445 AH) | Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, June 17, 18, 19 |
| 6 | Ashura (Muharram 9 and 10, 1446 AH) | Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16 and 17 |
| 7 | Independence Day | Wednesday, August 14 |
| 8 | Eid Milad un Nabi (Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1446 AH) | Monday, September 16 |
| 9 | Allama Iqbal Day | Saturday, November 9 |
| 10 | Quaid-e-Azam Day/Christmas | Wednesday, December 25 |
| 11 | Day after Christmas | Thursday, December 26 |
- Kashmir Day – Commencing on Monday, February 5, the first holiday marks a significant occasion for reflection and remembrance.
- Pakistan Day – Saturday, March 23, will be observed nationwide in celebration of the country’s formation.
- Eid ul Fitr (Shawwal 1, 1445 AH) – Falling on Wednesday, Thursday, Friday, April 10, 11, 12, this festive holiday honors the conclusion of Ramadan.
- Labour Day – Recognized on Wednesday, May 1, this day acknowledges the workforce and their contributions.
- Eid ul Adha (Zil Hajj 10, 1445 AH) – Spanning Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, June 17, 18, 19, this Eid marks a period of religious significance.
- Ashura (Muharram 9 and 10, 1446 AH) – Falling on Tuesday and Wednesday, July 16 and 17, this occasion holds religious significance for many.
- Independence Day – Celebrated on Wednesday, August 14, marking the nation’s independence.
- Eid Milad un Nabi (Rabi ul Awwal 12, 1446 AH) – Occurring on Monday, September 16, this holiday commemorates the birth of Prophet Muhammad.
- Allama Iqbal Day – Saturday, November 9, pays homage to the renowned poet-philosopher.
- Quaid-e-Azam Day/Christmas – Wednesday, December 25, marks a dual celebration on the day of the nation’s founder and Christmas.
- Day after Christmas – Thursday, December 26, concludes the holiday season.
Optional Holidays 2024:
| S No | Occasion | Day | Dates |
| 1 | New Year | Monday | January 1 |
| 2 | Basant Punchami | Wednesday | February 14 |
| 3 | Shivaratri | Friday | March 8 |
| 4 | Shab-e-Miraj (Rajab 27, 1445 AH) | Wednesday | February 7 |
| 5 | Holi | Sunday | March 24 |
| 6 | Dulhandi | Monday | March 25 |
| 7 | Shab-e-Barat (Shaban 15, 1445 AH) | Sunday | February 25 |
| 8 | Good Friday | Friday | March 29 |
| 9 | Easter/ Day After Easter Sunday | Sunday, Monday | March 31 and April 1 |
| 10 | Eid-e-Rizwan (Bahai Community only) | Sunday | April 21 |
| 11 | Baisakhi | Saturday | April 13 |
| 12 | Budda Pumima | Saturday | March 23 |
| 13 | Nauroze (Parsi’s New Year Day) | Thursday | August 15 |
| 14 | Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal) | Tuesday | August 20 |
| 15 | Chehlum (Safar 20, 1446 AH) | Wednesday | August 27 |
| 16 | Janam Ashtami | Monday | August 26 |
| 17 | Durga Puja | Friday | October 11 |
| 18 | Dussehra | Saturday | October 12 |
| 19 | Giyarvee Shareef (Rabi us Sani 11, 1446 AH) | Wednesday | October 16 |
| 20 | Birthday of Guru | Tuesday | October 17 |
| 21 | Diwali | Friday | November 1 |
| 22 | Guruk Nanak Dev Jee Birthday | Friday | November 15 |
- New Year – Monday, January 1, offers a time for reflection and celebration as the new year begins.
- Basant Punchami – Wednesday, February 14, marks the festival celebrating the arrival of spring.
- Shivaratri – Friday, March 8, commemorates the revered Hindu festival dedicated to Lord Shiva.
- Shab-e-Miraj (Rajab 27, 1445 AH) – Wednesday, February 7, holds religious importance in the Islamic calendar.
- Holi – Sunday, March 24, and Dulhandi – Monday, March 25, signify the vibrant Hindu festival of colors.
- Shab-e-Barat (Shaban 15, 1445 AH) – Sunday, February 25, is a night of devotion and prayer in the Islamic tradition.
- Good Friday – Friday, March 29, marks a significant day in the Christian calendar.
- Easter/ Day After Easter Sunday – Sunday, Monday, March 31, and April 1, are days of Christian observance, including the resurrection of Jesus Christ.
- Eid-e-Rizwan (Bahai Community only) – Sunday, April 21, holds cultural significance for the Bahai community.
- Baisakhi – Saturday, April 13, marks the Sikh New Year and the harvest festival in Punjab.
- Budda Purnima – Saturday, March 23, commemorates the birth, enlightenment, and death of Buddha.
- Nauroze (Parsi’s New Year Day) – Thursday, August 15, celebrates the Parsi New Year.
- Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal) – Tuesday, August 20, honors the birth of Zoroastrianism’s prophet.
- Chehlum (Safar 20, 1446 AH) – Wednesday, August 27, is a day of mourning in the Islamic calendar.
- Janmashtami – Monday, August 26, celebrates the birth of Lord Krishna in Hinduism.
- Durga Puja – Friday, October 11, and Dussehra – Saturday, October 12, mark the culmination of Navaratri celebrations.
- Giyarvee Shareef (Rabi us Sani 11, 1446 AH) – Wednesday, October 16, holds significance in the Islamic calendar.
- Birthday of Guru – Tuesday, October 17, celebrates the birth of revered Gurus in Sikhism.
- Diwali – Friday, November 1, marks the festival of lights celebrated by Hindus, Sikhs, Jains, and some Buddhists.
- Guruk Nanak Dev Jee Birthday – Friday, November 15, commemorates the birth of Guru Nanak Dev Ji, the founder of Sikhism.
Bank Holidays 2024:
| S No | Day | Date |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Monday | January 1 |
| 2 | Monday | March 11 (1445 AH) |
| 3 | Sunday | July 1 |
- January 1 (Monday) – Commences the year with a bank holiday.
- March 11 (Monday) – Corresponding to Ramadan 1, 1445 AH, specifically designated for the deduction of Zakat.
- July 1 – Marks another bank holiday in the annual calendar.
(Islamabad51_Newsdesk)
