Islamabad: The federal government Monday announced the public and optional holidays for Muslims and minorities in Pakistan for 2023.
Public holidays
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, there will be 11 public holidays in 2023.
- Kashmir Day Sunday, February 5
- Pakistan Day Thursday, March 23
- Eid-ul-Fitr Saturday, Sunday, and Monday, April 22,23,24
- Labour Day Monday, May 1
- Eid-ul-Azha Thursday, Friday, Saturday, June 29,30, July 1
- Ashura (9th,10 Muharram) Thursday, Friday, July 27, 28
- Independence Day Monday, August 14
- Eid-Milad-un-Nabi Thursday, September 28
- Allama Iqbal Day Thursday, November 9
- Quaid-e-Azam Day/Christmas Monday, December 25
- Day after Christmas Tuesday, December 26 (Only for Christians)
The notification said that in the case of Muslim festivals, the dates of holidays are based on anticipated dates and are subject to the appearance of moon for which a separate notification will be issued by the Cabinet Division.
Bank holidays
The following will be bank holidays. However, the notification read these days the banks/DFLs/MFBs will remain closed to the public but not to their employees:
- January 2 (Monday)
- March 22 (Wednesday)
- July 3 (Monday)
Optional Holidays
- New Year’s Day Sunday, January 1
- Basant Panchami Thursday, January 26
- Shiv Ratri Saturday 18
- Shab-e-Mairaj Saturday, February 18
- Holi Monday, March 6
- Dulhandi Tuesday, March 7
- Shab-e-Barat Wednesday, March 8
- Good Friday Friday, April 7
- Days After Easter Monday, April 10
- Baisakhi Friday, April 14
- Eid-e-Rizwan Friday April 21
- Buddha Purnima Friday July 7
- Nauroze Wednesday, August 16
- Birthday of Lord Zoroaster Monday, August 21
- Chehlum Wednesday, September 6
- Janam Ashtami Thursday, September 7
- Durga Poja Monday, October 23
- Dussehra Tuesday, October 24
- Giyarhvi Shareef Friday, October 27
- Birthday of Guru Valmik Swami Ji Saturday, October 28
- Diwali Sunday, November 12
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji Birthday Monday November 27
