How many Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will Pakistanis have this year: Five or Six?

Pakistan is preparing for what could potentially be an extended Eid holiday this year, with Eid-ul-Fitr expected to occur on Wednesday, April 10th, according to meteorological forecasts.

In 2019, the former Federal Minister for Science and Technology, Fawad Chaudhry, introduced a five-year lunar calendar to address the issue of moon sightings.

This year, Ramadan is anticipated to last for 29 days, leading to Eid celebrations on April 10th, in accordance with the calendar’s predictions. Collaborating with Chaudhry’s initiative, the Meteorological Department has supported the expected date, stating that the Shawwal moon is likely to be sighted on the evening of the 29th of Ramadan.

Director General Sahibzad Khan reiterated their alignment with the lunar calendar, reinforcing expectations for the Eid festivities.

Traditionally, Eid holidays start a day before the celebration, providing time for preparation and festivity. With Eid falling on a Wednesday, the government has announced a four-day holiday from Tuesday to Friday, extending through the weekend to grant a six-day break for the public.

However, if Eid falls on Thursday, the holiday will begin on Wednesday and end on Saturday, resulting in a total of five holidays, including Sunday.