The federal government has formally declared Eid ul-Fitr a three-day public holiday, enabling citizens to enjoy the festive occasion with their families.

As per a notification released by the Cabinet Division, the Eid holidays will start on Monday, March 31, and end on Wednesday, April 2, however, provincial governments have not yet released their respective holiday schedules.

The final date for Eid ul-Fitr will be announced by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, which will meet on the night of Sunday, March 30 (Ramazan 29, 1446 AH) for the Shawwal moon sighting.

The committee, in coordination with zonal moon-sighting committees, will sit at the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony to review reports from all over the country before making an announcement. Religious scholars, meteorologists, and experts will attend the session to verify the sighting of the Shawwal moon.

Scientific forecasts by the Pakistan Space & Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (Suparco) have projected that the Shawwal crescent will be visible on March 30, indicating that Eid ul-Fitr would probably fall on March 31, 2025. According to Islamic practices, though, the moon needs to be spotted with the naked eye before confirmation.

For those in the government service, the announcement is more welcome, as Saturday and Sunday (March 29-30) are themselves weekends, practically making the holiday a five-day break.

Residents nationwide are now preparing to celebrate Eid with their families since businesses and transport agencies are readying for what is expected to be a rush of holidaymakers.