Public Holidays for 2025 Announced Nationwide in Pakistan
The Cabinet Division has officially released the list of public and optional holidays for 2025, catering to national, Islamic, and minority-specific celebrations. This notification provides clarity and organization for the upcoming year’s observances, ensuring proper scheduling for government institutions and key sectors.
Comprehensive Public Holiday List for 2025
In a recent announcement, the Pakistani government confirmed the public holiday schedule for 2025, which includes national events, Islamic festivals, and holidays for minority communities. The holidays for Islamic festivals like Eid al-Fitr and Eid al-Adha are determined based on the Islamic lunar calendar. Since these dates vary annually, they are subject to the moon’s appearance.
Optional Holidays for Government Employees
The notification also outlines optional holidays that government employees can avail of. However, prior approval is mandatory for these holidays.
- Muslim employees are allowed one optional holiday.
- Non-Muslim employees can avail up to three optional holidays in a calendar year.
To ensure work continuity, the notification emphasized that granting these holidays must not disrupt regular operations. The head of each organization will decide on optional holidays, prioritizing religious significance for employees.
Minority-Specific Holidays
The federal government has also recognized and declared holidays for minority communities. These include:
- Holi
- Baisakhi
- Good Friday
- Diwali
- Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday
These inclusions aim to respect and celebrate the diversity within Pakistan’s cultural and religious fabric.
Banking Sector-Specific Holidays
Certain holidays are exclusive to the banking sector and are not observed by the general public. These days are vital for financial institutions to manage their operations efficiently.
Ensuring Work Continuity
The government emphasized that optional holidays must not cause any disruption in workflow. Adequate staffing is required to ensure smooth functioning during these days. The notification stated, “A government servant should not ordinarily be refused an optional holiday that is of religious significance.”
This detailed holiday notification for 2025 allows for better planning and scheduling while ensuring that work remains uninterrupted.
FAQs
1. What are the major Islamic holidays in 2025?
The major Islamic holidays include Eid al-Fitr, Eid al-Adha, and Ashura, which are based on the Islamic lunar calendar.
2. How many optional holidays can a Muslim government employee take in 2025?
Muslim employees can take one optional holiday in 2025, subject to prior approval.
3. Are minority-specific holidays included in the 2025 schedule?
Yes, holidays like Holi, Baisakhi, Good Friday, Diwali, and Guru Nanak Dev Ji’s Birthday have been declared for minority communities.
4. Can government employees take optional holidays without permission?
No, all optional holidays require prior approval from the head of the organization.
5. Are banking holidays included in the general public holiday list?
No, banking holidays are exclusive to financial institutions and are not observed by the general public.
