Government employees to enjoy 9-day Eid holiday

The government has declared a public holiday on April 3 through an executive order to ensure smooth travels for Eid-ul-Fitr celebrations.

The advisory council made the decision at a meeting yesterday, meaning the official Eid holiday is now effectively from March 28 to April 3.

March 28 marks Shab-e-Qadr, a public holiday and is also Friday.

March 26 is a public holiday for Independence Day, making March 27 the only working day before the extended Eid holidays. Offices will reopen on April 6 as there is a two-day weekly holiday on April 4 and 5.

After assuming office, the interim government extended the Eid holidays from three days to five  days.

Eid-ul-Fitr is expected to be celebrated on either March 31 or April 1, depending on the sighting of the moon in the country's sky.