Pakistan Announces Eid ul Azha Holidays From May 26 to 28

The federal government on Wednesday announced a three-day public holiday for Eid ul Azha, confirming that offices across Pakistan will observe holidays from May 26 to May 28. The announcement immediately became one of the country’s most widely followed updates of the day, as families, businesses, transporters and cattle market operators began adjusting their final plans for the religious festival.

According to the report, the holidays will cover Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday, giving citizens time for Eid prayers, sacrificial arrangements and family gatherings. The decision is expected to affect government offices, public-sector institutions and routine administrative activity across the country during the holiday period.

The holiday schedule follows the sighting of the Zilhaj moon in Pakistan on May 17, which confirmed that Eid ul Azha will be observed nationwide on Wednesday, May 27. Moon sighting reports were received from several cities, including Rawalpindi, Peshawar and Mardan, helping religious authorities finalize the Islamic calendar date.

Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad made the final announcement after reviewing verified testimonies related to the moon sighting. His confirmation ended public uncertainty about the Eid date and allowed the federal government to move ahead with the formal holiday schedule.

Earlier, a meeting of the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee was held in Karachi to examine reports from different parts of the country. Such meetings are a regular part of Pakistan’s religious calendar, as the beginning of Zilhaj and the date of Eid ul Azha are determined through moon sighting under the committee’s supervision.

Eid ul Azha is among the most significant religious occasions in Pakistan and is marked by prayers, sacrifice and charity. In the days leading up to Eid, cattle markets see heavy activity as people purchase goats, cows, sheep and camels for sacrifice in remembrance of the religious tradition associated with devotion and obedience.

The announcement will also shape travel patterns in the coming days. Millions of people are expected to move between major cities, hometowns and villages, increasing pressure on intercity buses, trains, highways and local transport networks as families gather for Eid celebrations.

For businesses, the holiday period brings both opportunity and disruption. Livestock traders, transporters, butchers, food suppliers and retail markets usually see a surge in demand before Eid, while banks, offices and routine services prepare for reduced activity during the official break.

The next focus will be on administrative arrangements, market management, traffic planning and civic services during the Eid period. Local authorities are expected to monitor cattle markets, sanitation operations and public movement to ensure that the holiday is managed smoothly across Pakistan.