LAHORE – The Punjab government has decided to release salaries and pensions for May 2026 in advance to support its employees ahead of Eidul Adha 2026.
The provincial Finance Department has issued a notification in this regard stating that the salaries and pensions of all government employees will be made on May 21.
This early release is aimed at helping employees and retirees cover festival-related expenses. Authorities have directed all concerned departments to ensure timely payment, while the State Bank and commercial banks have been instructed to assist in the smooth transfer of funds.
The federal and other provincial governments are expected to make similar announcements in coming days.
Eid Dates in Pakistan
Anticipation is building for Eid ul-Azha 2026, with early predictions suggesting Bakra Eid may be observed in Pakistan on Wednesday, May 27.
Ruet-e-Hilal Research Council shared a prediction regarding the start of last month Dhu al-Hijjah 1447 AH, saying if weather conditions remain clear, there is a strong possibility that the new crescent moon will be sighted in Pakistan on the evening of Sunday, 17 May 2026.
According to council’s Secretary General, Khalid Mufti, the new moon will be born at 1:01 AM Pakistan Standard Time during the night between 16 and 17 May. This astronomical timing is considered important in determining the start of the Islamic month.
He explained that by the evening of 17 May, at sunset, the age of the moon will exceed 18 hours across most regions of Pakistan—an age generally regarded as suitable for crescent visibility.
Adding further detail, he noted that the gap between sunset and moonset will be around 55 minutes in Karachi and approximately 63 minutes in Peshawar. This means that if the skies remain clear, there is a fair chance that the crescent moon could be spotted with the naked eye in several parts of the country.
However, the council also cautioned that if cloudy weather prevents moon sighting on 17 May, then the month of Dhu al-Qi’dah will complete 30 days, and in that case, Dhu al-Hijjah would begin on Tuesday, 19 May.
Based on these calculations, the council has also suggested a notable possibility: Eid al-Adha could be observed on the same day in both Pakistan and Saudi Arabia, with Wednesday, 27 May 2026 emerging as the expected date—an alignment that would be widely welcomed across the Muslim world
