Pakistan's federal government has approved a three-day public holiday for Eid Al-Adha, with offices, educational institutions, and businesses observing public holidays to remain closed from May 26 to May 28 across the country.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif endorsed the holiday schedule on Wednesday, May 20, as per a notification issued by the Cabinet Division. The directive follows the government's earlier circular on public and optional holidays for 2026, as reported by Express Tribune. The notification stated: "All offices, educational institutions, and businesses observing public holidays will remain closed on the notified dates."
Moon Sighting Confirms Eid Date
The announcement came days after Pakistan's Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee confirmed the sighting of the Zilhajj moon, declaring that Eidul Azha would be observed on May 27. Officials reported that moon sighting reports were received from Karachi, parts of Sindh, Rawalpindi, Peshawar, Mardan, and several other regions. The first day of Zilhajj 1447 AH began on May 18.
Pakistan's Ministry of Religious Affairs stated that the moon sighting meeting took place at the Meteorological Department in Karachi on May 17. Earlier this month, the Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) had forecast that Eid Al-Adha would likely fall on May 27.
Inflation Pressures Ahead of Eid
The holiday announcement arrives as consumers across Pakistan face rising costs ahead of the religious festival. Prices of sacrificial animals, food items, and transportation have increased sharply compared to last year. In major cattle markets across Punjab and Sindh, traders say transportation and fodder expenses have pushed prices upward. Buyers are also reporting difficulty keeping up with the rising cost of goats, cows, and sheep.
"This year, even middle-income families are struggling to arrange money for sacrificial animals," said Shayan Baig, who was searching for livestock ahead of Eid. "No matter whether it's a goat, lamb, or a cow, at least Rs100,000 has been added, if we compare prices with the previous year's rates, which were also higher. I now have to adopt a wait-and-see policy and will try again close to Eid in the hope of getting an animal at a lower price."
Retailers in shopping centres have also reported cautious spending patterns, with many families limiting purchases to essential Eid items as inflation continues to affect household budgets.
Broader Context
In a related development, Muhammadu Sa'ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, officially confirmed the sighting of the Dhul-Hijjah crescent moon, marking Monday, May 18, as the 1st of Dhul-Hijjah 1447 in the Islamic calendar. The declaration was conveyed in a statement issued by Professor Sambo Wali Junaidu, the Wazirin Sokoto and chairman of the Advisory Committee on Religious Affairs of the Sokoto Sultanate Council.
