Pakistan Public Holiday Rights & Entitlements Guide
Comprehensive reference guide to statutory festival holiday entitlements, double-pay and compensatory leave rules, working hour limits, and official gazetted public holiday regulations under Pakistan labor law.
1. Statutory Paid Festival Holidays
Under Section 49-I of the Factories Act 1934 and provincial Shops and Establishments Acts (Punjab, Sindh, KPK, Balochistan, ICT), every employee in commercial establishments, industrial units, and office workplaces is entitled to full daily pay for all gazetted public holidays notified by the federal or provincial governments.
2. Working on a Gazetted Public Holiday
When an employer requires a worker to perform duties on an official gazetted public holiday, the law mandates compensation through one of two legal remedies:
Double Pay (200%): Payment of double the ordinary daily wage rate.
Compensatory Day Off: A substitute paid holiday provided within a specified timeframe.
3. Gazetted vs. Optional Holidays
Gazetted Public Holidays apply universally across federal, provincial, banking, and private sectors (e.g., Pakistan Day, Independence Day, Eid holidays). Optional Holidays provide employees belonging to minority religious communities (Christian, Hindu, Sikh, Parsee) up to 1–2 days of additional leave per year upon request.
4. Working Hours & Overtime Rules
Standard adult working hours are limited to 8 hours per day (48 hours per week). Any work performed in excess of standard hours must be compensated at double the ordinary rate of wages (200%), alongside at least one full 24-hour weekly rest day (typically Sunday or Friday).
Official Gazetted Public Holidays in Pakistan
Holiday / Observance
Approx. Date
Type
Description & Law Basis
Kashmir Day
05 February
National Gazetted
Solidarity day commemorating Kashmir observance.
Pakistan Day
23 March
National Gazetted
Commemorating the Lahore Resolution of 1940 and 1956 Constitution.
Eid-ul-Fitr
1 Shawwal (Lunar)
Religious Gazetted
Marks the end of Ramadan (3-day official holiday break).
Labour Day
01 May
International Gazetted
Honoring worker achievements and international labor rights.
Eid-ul-Adha
10 Dhu al-Hijjah (Lunar)
Religious Gazetted
Feast of Sacrifice (3-day official holiday break).
Honoring national poet and philosopher Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
Quaid-e-Azam Day & Christmas
25 December
National Gazetted
Birth anniversary of founder Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Christmas.
Frequently Asked Questions
How are Islamic holiday dates confirmed in Pakistan?
Islamic dates (Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Ashura, Eid Milad-un-Nabi) depend on moon sighting confirmations by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee and official press releases by the Ministry of Interior.
Are private sector employers required to grant public holidays?
Yes, commercial and industrial establishments under provincial Shops & Establishments Ordinances must provide paid leave for official gazetted public holidays or compensate with double pay/compensatory leave.
What is the legal rate for overtime or working on a public holiday?
Work performed beyond standard 48 weekly hours or on a gazetted holiday must be paid at double the ordinary daily wage rate (200%) or substituted with a paid compensatory day off.
