There may be plenty of reasons that make you feel excited about the beginning of a new year but nothing’s comparable to the joy of getting a refreshed quota of public holidays. Every important occasion, whether national or religious, earns people a day off from work and educational institutions. So, what are you waiting for? Take out your calendars and mark all of the public holidays in Pakistan for 2023 that will be observed both at the federal and provincial levels.
Let’s get the ball rolling!
List of Public Holidays In Pakistan for 2023
| Occasion | Date | Day |
| Kashmir Day | 5th February | Sunday |
| Pakistan Day | 23rd March | Thursday |
| Eid-ul-Fitr | 22nd, 23rd, 24th April | Saturday, Sunday & Monday (Long Weekend) |
| Labour Day | 1st May | Monday (Long Weekend) |
| Eid-ul-Azha | 29th, 30th June & 1st July | Thursday, Friday & Saturday |
| Ashura Holidays | 27th & 28th July | Thursday & Friday (Long Weekend) |
| Independence Day | 14th August | Monday (Long Weekend) |
| Milad-un-Nabi | 28th September | Thursday |
| Iqbal Day | 9th November | Thursday |
| Quaid-e-Azam Day | 25th December | Monday (Long Weekend) |
*The aforementioned dates and days of Islamic public holidays in Pakistan in 2023 are tentative. They are subject to change according to the lunar cycle. Please keep checking back for the latest updates.
5th Feb – Kashmir Solidarity Day
Kashmir Solidarity Day, popularly known as Kashmir Day, is an internationally recognized day that is observed in Pakistan and the area of Azad Jammu Kashmir (AJK) with great fervour. The observance of this day is to express solidarity with the people of Jammu Kashmir fighting for their freedom. Different rallies are organised by private and public organisations to commemorate the occasion. This year Kashmir Day will fall on Sunday.
23rd March – Pakistan Day
The government of Pakistan announces a public holiday every year on March 23 to commemorate Pakistan Day. On this day, in 1940, the Lahore Resolution was passed. It is one of those gazetted holidays in Pakistan for 2023, which is going to be celebrated with full-fledged patriotic fervour.
Each year Pakistan Day Parade is organised on a grand scale that is witnessed live by some of the top government and armed forces officials. This year, it is going to fall on Thursday. It is also probably going to be the first day of Ramadan, depending on the lunar cycle.
Quick Facts About Minar-e-Pakistan
The national monument of Minar-e-Pakistan is situated in the Greater Iqbal Park, formerly known as Minto Park. It is built at the exact location where the resolution was passed in the presence of many great leaders at the time. Here’s more about the history and construction of Minar-e-Pakistan, the landmark of the nation.
Eid-ul-Fitr Holidays
Expected to be celebrated in the last week of April 2023, Eid-ul-Fitr brings three consecutive public holidays every year. It is among the most awaited Islamic holidays in Pakistan. The festive occasion also marks the end of the holy month of Ramadan. This time, Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to fall on the 22nd, 23rd and 24th of April, Saturday, Sunday and Monday. The occasion will make it a long weekend.
1st May – Labour Day
People work all year round and they get, at least, one day in 12 months when their achievements are recognized and celebrated. Labour Day is an internationally recognized holiday that has been observed for years. It is also known as International Workers’ Day and/or Workers’ Day. The state of Pakistan also observes May 1 as an annual public holiday like many other countries. According to 2023’s calendar, labour day is falling on Monday and we all know what it means — a long weekend!
Eid-ul-Azha Holidays
The festival of Eid-ul-Adha is celebrated on the 11th of Zilhajj. Like Eid-ul-Fitr, this occasion also brings two, sometimes even three consecutive holidays. Usually, the day before Eid-ul-Azha and its first two days are declared as national holidays by the government of Pakistan every year. It is an Islamic event known as the ‘Festival of Sacrifice’ that is celebrated by Muslims around the world with religious enthusiasm.
An annual pilgrimage to Makkah known as the Hajj, which is a very important Islamic event, also takes place a day before Eid-ul-Adha. The festive occasion is expected to be celebrated on June 29 (Thursday), June 30 (Friday) & July (Saturday) in Pakistan. So, mark your calendars for another long weekend. Bear in mind that these dates may change according to the moon sighting.
Ashoora
Ashoora The Shiite Muslim community around the world observes a religious event every year known as Ashoora. According to the Islamic Calendar, Ashoora is observed every year on the 9th and 10th of Muharram. This time, Ashoora is expected to fall on July 27 (Thursday) and July 28 (Friday).
The government of Pakistan usually issues a two-day holiday to allow the Shiite community to observe the important rituals of this religious occasion. This holy occasion is marked by different types of rallies and religious processions. To maintain and ensure security and law and order, the authorities turn off mobile phone signals and ban pillion riding for a day or two. The authorities always make prior announcements before taking such measures.
14th August – Independence Day
The independence day celebration is among the most significant gazetted holidays in Pakistan for 2023. It is a day when patriotic songs like ‘Dil Dil Pakistan’ are echoed from everywhere. August 14 reminds us of the day when our homeland emerged as an independent country.
It is a public holiday that is celebrated with patriotic fervour as streets around the country are decorated with Pakistani flags and buntings. Different types of functions and events are organized on August 14 every year across the country to commemorate Pakistan’s Independence Day.
6th September – Defence Day
Defense Day is an annual commemoration of the 1965 Indo-Pak war. It is one of the most anticipated upcoming holidays in Pakistan. The armed forces of Pakistan bravely fought in this war against India and claimed victory. The precious lives of many brave soldiers were lost during this conflict between the two countries.
To pay homage to the army men who fought for this country, a military parade and flypast are usually organized and attended by all of the higher government and armed forces officials on September 6 each year. The federal government also issues a notice for a holiday every year on this day.
Eid Milad-Un-Nabi
Milad Un Nabi is observed on the 12th of Rabiulawal, an Islamic month in the Hijri calendar, to mark the occasion of the birth of the Holy Prophet (PBUH). The Sunni Muslim community across the country celebrate the occasion with great religious fervour. Different types of rallies and Milad gatherings are organised across Pakistan on Milad Un Nabi. According to the lunar calendar, the occasion of Milad Un Nabi in Pakistan in 2023 is going to fall in the last week of October. It is declared a national holiday by the government of Pakistan each year.
9th November – Iqbal Day
After a break of a few years, the public holiday to mark the birthday of Allama Muhammad Iqbal — the great poet of the subcontinent — has finally been restored in 2022. Iqbal’s literary creations changed the course of history with the power of the pen. His words were so powerful and influential that they inspired people to fight for their freedom.
The contribution of a revolutionary poet like Allama Iqbal will always be remembered. Many schools and educational institutions across the country still organise events and shows to commemorate the inspiring philosopher and his evergreen poetic marvels.
25th December – Quaid-e-Azam Day
Just a few days before the year ends comes another national holiday. Quaid-e-Azam Day, which is celebrated on December 25, marks the birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan. He was born on this day in 1876 in Karachi. Many programs are organised on the occasion of Quaid-e-Azam Day to pay tribute to the Father of the Nation. People of all ages observe this day to praise the leadership of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and the sacrifices he made in his life for the creation of Pakistan.
Provincial Holidays in Pakistan for 2023
No province observes special holidays other than Sindh. The provincial holidays in Pakistan for 2023 that are going to be observed in Sindh include the Death Anniversary of Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto on April 4 and the Urs of Shah Abdul Latif Bhittai, which is likely to fall on Aug 30 and 31. Schools and some other government institutions in Sindh get a day off on these occasions.
Bank Holidays in Pakistan for 2023
The dates for bank holidays in Pakistan for 2023 include the 1st of January and the 1st of July. However, if either of these dates falls during the weekend, the holiday is moved to the succeeding Monday.
Now that we have given you details about each and every public holiday in Pakistan, it’s time for us to wrap up this blog. If you have any questions or feedback related to our blogs, feel free to share it with us at blog@zameen.com.
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