ISLAMABAD (Kashmir English): The federal government on Friday announced six days of spring holidays for all educational institutions and the expected Eid-ul-Fitr holidays.
According to the notification issued by the Federal Directorate of Education, federal government educational institutions will remain closed from March 24 to March 27, and federal government educational institutions will reopen on March 30.
“Spring Break shall be observed in all educational institutions working under the ambit of the Federal Directorate of Education w.e.f. 24-03-2026 to 27-03-2026. All institutions shall reopen on 30-03-2026,” the notification reads.
“Attendance on 30-03-2026 shall be mandatory for all teaching staff to ensure compilation and announcement of the in-house annual examination results,” it said.
Earlier, the Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) had predicted that Eid-ul-Fitr would likely be celebrated on March 21 (Saturday) as there is a strong likelihood that the Shawwal crescent will be visible on March 20.
With Eid likely falling on March 21, the Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will start on March 21 till 23. These holidays will be combined with spring vacations to give students nine-day-long holidays in Islamabad.
It should be noted that holidays are given in federal educational institutions every year in connection with the spring season.
Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 expected date
The Pakistan Meteorological Department (PMD) predicted that the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH is unlikely to be sighted on March 19, 2026, and Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 is expected to be observed on March 21.
In a statement, the Met Office said that the moon of Shawwal will be born on March 19 at 6:23 PST, adding that the crescent is expected to be visible on March 20, 3oth Ramzan 1447 AH.
At the time of sunset, the moon’s age at most meteorological observatories will be between 12 and 13 hours, which, according to the PMD, is not favourable for moon sighting.
“As per astronomical analysis, there is No Chance of sighting the new moon of Shawwal 1447 AH on the evening of 19-03-2026 (i.e., on 29th Ramzan 1447 AH),” the Met Office said.
The PMD further noted that the Prediction is based on astronomical analysis. “However, the final decision regarding the declaration of a new moon rests with the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee (RHC) of Pakistan,” it said.
