ISLAMABAD: Students and government employees could be in for a welcome break in November, with three consecutive days off potentially on the cards. But which date could turn an ordinary weekend into a three-day holiday, and will schools and offices close on Monday?
As per details, Pakistanis could enjoy a three-day long weekend in November as Iqbal Day falls on Monday, November 9, giving government employees and students an extended break.
According to the official holiday calendar, Pakistan observes Iqbal Day on November 9 each year to commemorate the birth anniversary of national poet Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
This year, the holiday falls on a Monday. Combined with the regular weekend on Saturday, November 7, and Sunday, November 8, it creates three consecutive days off for people who follow the standard Saturday-Sunday weekend.
Consequently, government offices and educational institutions may remain closed on all three days, subject to the applicable official holiday notification.
Official Public Holidays in Pakistan in 2026
The federal government announces Pakistan’s annual public holiday schedule through the Cabinet Division. The calendar includes national observances, religious festivals and holidays for minority communities.
National holidays follow the Gregorian calendar. These include Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5, Pakistan Day on March 23, Labour Day on May 1, Youm-e-Takbeer on May 28, Independence Day on August 14, Iqbal Day on November 9, and Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas on December 25.
Meanwhile, Islamic holidays follow the Hijri lunar calendar. Their dates depend on moon sightings and official announcements by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee.
Key Islamic occasions include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, Ashura on the ninth and tenth of Muharram, and Eid Milad-un-Nabi on the 12th of Rabi-ul-Awal. The government announces the applicable holiday dates for these occasions separately.
In addition, the government provides optional holidays to eligible employees from minority communities so they can observe religious and cultural festivals, including Easter, Diwali, Holi and Guru Nanak Jayanti.
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Banks also observe designated holidays on January 1 and July 1 for financial and administrative purposes. These closures do not necessarily apply to all public services.
The November long weekend, however, depends on the official notification and the holiday arrangements applicable to individual institutions and workplaces.
