Notification / OM No. No. SOW-I(S&GAD) 1-4/2018(P-V) Dated 13-January-2025 Notification Issued By: Welfare Wing, Services And General Administration Department, Government Of The Punjab Comprehensive 2025 Holiday Notification Issued by Punjab Government: The Government of Punjab, through its Services and General Administration Department, has issued an official notification detailing the schedule of Public and Optional Holidays for the year 2025. This comprehensive announcement outlines the days to be observed as holidays by offices under the administrative control of the Punjab Government, ensuring uniformity and adherence to national and regional cultural, religious, and administrative considerations. Public holidays, celebrated across the province, reflect significant national events such as Independence Day, Pakistan Day, and Kashmir Day, alongside religious observances like Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Azha, and Ashura. Optional holidays, on the other hand, cater to the diverse religious and cultural practices of different communities, offering individuals the opportunity to commemorate occasions of personal or religious importance. The notification also includes bank holidays, during which financial institutions will remain closed to the public while continuing internal operations. This document not only acknowledges the importance of inclusivity in recognizing various cultural and religious practices but also provides clear guidelines on the procedures for availing optional holidays. By emphasizing the balance between granting leave and ensuring work continuity, the notification demonstrates the Punjab Government’s commitment to efficient governance while respecting diversity. This structured holiday schedule aims to facilitate better planning and coordination within government departments and among the public, promoting a harmonious and organized observance of these significant days.. Notification Describes; GOVERNMENT OF THE PUNJABSERVICES AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT(WELFARE WING) Dated: Lahore, the 13th January, 2025 NOTIFICATION No. SOW-I(S&GAD) 1-4/2018(P-V): It is hereby notified for general information that the following Public and Optional Holidays declared by the Federal Government, shall be observed in the Offices under the administrative control of the Government of the Punjab, during the calendar year-2025: PUBLIC HOLIDAYS Sr.# Name of Occasion Days Dates During Year 2025 1 Kashmir Day Wednesday 5th February, 2025 2 Pakistan Day Sunday 23rd March, 2025 3 Eid-ul-Fitr* (1st Shawal 1446 A.H.) Sunday, Monday, Tuesday *30th, 31st, March & 1st April, 2025 4 Labour Day Thursday 1st May, 2025 5 Youm-e-Takbeer Wednesday 28th May, 2025 6 Eid-ul-Azha,* (10th Zilhaj 1446 A.H.) Saturday, Sunday & Monday *07th, 08th, 9th June, 2025 7 Ashura * (9th & 10th Muharram 1447 A.H.) Saturday, Sunday *05th, 06th July, 2025 8 Independence Day Thursday 14th August, 2025 9 Eid Milad-un-Nabi* (12 Rabi-ul-Awal 1447 A.H.) Friday or Saturday *05th or 6th September, 2025 10 Allama Iqbal Day Sunday 9th, November, 2025 11 Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas Thursday 25th December, 2025 12 Day after Christmas Friday 26th December, 2025 (For Christians only) 2. The following will be Bank Holidays. However, on these days the Banks / DFIs / MFBs will remain closed for public but NOT for their employees :- Sr. # Day/Date 1 1st January, 2025 (Wednesday) 2 1st March, 2025 (Saturday) Corresponding to 1st Ramazan 1446 A.H for deduction of Zakat (subject to appearance of Moon). 3 1st July, 2025 (Tuesday) OPTIONAL HOLIDAYS 1 New Year Day Wednesday 1st January 2 Shab-e-Meraj (27th Rajab 1446 A.H) Tuesday 28th January 3 Basant Punchami Sunday 02nd February 4 Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban 1446 A.H.) Friday *14th February 5 Shivaratri Wednesday 26th February 6 Holi Thursday 13th March 7 Dulhandi Friday 14th March 8 Baisakhi Sunday 13th April 9 Good Friday Friday 18th April 10 Easter / Day after Easter Sunday Sunday & Monday 20th & 21st April 11 Eid-e-Rizwan (Bahai’s Community Only) Monday 21st April 12 Buddha Purnima Monday 12th May 13 Nauroze (Parsi’s New Year Day) Friday 15th August 14 Chehlum (20th Safar 1447 A.H) Friday *15th August 15 Krishna Janam Ashtami Saturday 16th August 16 Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal) Wednesday 20th August 17 Durga Puja Tuesday 30th September 18 Dussehra Thursday 02nd October 19 Giyarvee Shareef (11th Rabi-us-Sani 1447 A.H) Saturday 04th October 20 Birthday of Guru Valmik Sawami Jee Tuesday 07th October 21 Diwali Monday 20th October 22 Guru Nanak Dev Jee birthday Wednesday 05th November *Note: – In case of Muslim Festivals, the dates of Holidays are based on anticipated dates and are subject to appearance of moon for which a separate notification will be issued. 3. Government servants desiring to avail themselves of Optional Holidays shall take prior permission of the Head of office concerned and no Government Servant shall be granted more than one Optional Holiday in the case of Muslims and three Optional Holidays for Non-Muslims in a calendar year. 4. The grant of this concession should not result in any dislocation of work. In the case of Muslims Optional Holidays, the number of persons permitted to avail Optional Holidays should be regulated in a manner so that adequate staff is available for proper continuance of the work. 5. The Optional Holidays are denominational and may be allowed at the discretion of the Head of the office, provided the state of work permits. 6. A Government servant should not ordinarily be refused an Optional Holiday that is of religious significance to him and the refusal is likely to decrease the number of such holidays to which he / she is entitled. 7. The Deputy Commissioners in the Punjab (except D.C, Lahore) are authorized to declare two Local Holidays within their District during 2025. In Lahore, this authority will be exercised by the Provincial Government which will declare local holidays for Lahore District. CHIEF SECRETARY, PUNJAB No.SOW-I(S&GAD)1-4/2018(P-V) Dated Lahore, the 13th January, 2025 Conclusion: The notification issued by the Punjab Government serves as an essential framework for the observance of holidays in 2025, reflecting the cultural, religious, and historical values that shape the province’s collective identity. Public holidays emphasize unity and national pride, commemorating pivotal events such as Youm-e-Takbeer and Allama Iqbal Day, while also celebrating religious festivals that are deeply rooted in the region’s traditions. Optional holidays further enhance this inclusivity by accommodating diverse faiths and cultural groups, allowing individuals to observe significant occasions unique to their communities.