Pakistan Govt. announces public holidays for 2019
The federal government of Pakistan has announced a total of 14 public holidays for the year 2019.
The announcement came on Sunday, through a notification issued by the Ministry of Interior.
The announcement notification has listed dates and days of the holidays including Kashmir Day, Pakistan Day, Labour Day, Eidul Fitr, Eidul Azha, Independence Day, Ashura, Eid Miladun Nabi (PBUH) and Quaid-e-Azam Day.
The banking sector has been allotted with three additional holidays that include January 1, May 7 and July 1. However, the banks will only remain closed for the public and but not for the employees.
According to the notification, “The holidays for Muslim festivals are subject to appearance of [the] moon for which a separate notification will be issued”.
The government has also listed 23 optional holidays for government officials. These include New Years, Basant, Shiv Ratri, Holi, Dulhandi, Shab-e-Mairaj, Good Friday, Easter, Nauroze among others.
Prior permission will be required by the officials from the concerned head of the office before availing the vacation days.
“Muslims can avail only one optional holiday while non-Muslims can take up to three,” the notification said.
