Punjab Government Announces Public and Optional Holidays Schedule for 2025-Notification

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 PUNJAB
SERVICES AND GENERAL ADMINISTRATION DEPARTMENT
(WELFARE WING)

Dated: Lahore, the 13^th 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 13^th 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.

Through this notification, the Government of Punjab ensures a structured and equitable approach to holiday observance. By requiring prior approval for optional holidays and ensuring adequate staffing levels, the notification highlights the importance of maintaining uninterrupted public services while accommodating personal and religious needs. Additionally, the authority granted to Deputy Commissioners to declare local holidays ensures flexibility in addressing region-specific needs without disrupting provincial operations.

In conclusion, this holiday schedule for 2025 exemplifies the Punjab Government’s dedication to fostering inclusivity, cultural sensitivity, and operational efficiency. It serves not only as a practical guideline for government offices and employees but also as a testament to the province’s rich diversity and its commitment to honoring the traditions and values of its people.

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