Eid al-Adha

Eid al-Adha is the Feast of Sacrifice, connected with the Hajj pilgrimage and Ibrahim’s willingness to sacrifice in obedience to God. In Pakistan, it is among the year’s most significant religious public holidays, combining worship with an extended period of family visits, hospitality and rest. Its customs vary across provinces, cities and households, but morning prayer, warm greetings, festive food and making time for relatives are common threads.

The federal calendar identifies the holiday by its Hijri date, then the Cabinet Division announces the practical civil days off each year. That distinction is essential for trip and work planning: moon sighting, weekends and the chosen number of public-holiday days can shift the actual closure period. The civil date shown is a planning estimate only: Pakistan’s official announcement after moon sighting determines the final date and the length of the government break.

In 2026 Pakistan observed Eid al-Adha on Wednesday, May 27 after the official lunar process, and the federal government declared May 26–28 as public holidays. The annual circular’s forecast and the later operational notification must be distinguished. Qurbani is carried out under municipal, veterinary, sanitation and animal-welfare requirements that vary by province and locality. Banks, private companies and essential services may publish specific hours or rosters even during the federal break, so the guide avoids implying identical operations everywhere.