Holidays in Pakistan are celebrated according to the Islamic or Gregorian calendars for religious and civil purposes, respectively. Religious holidays such as Eid are celebrated according to the Islamic calendar whereas other national holidays such as Labour Day, Pakistan Day, Independence Day, and Quaid-e-Azam Day are celebrated according to the Gregorian calendar. Seasonal festivals are celebrated according to the Bikrami calendar.
Non-religious state holidays Date English Name Local Name Notes 5 February Kashmir Day Yōum-e-Yakjehtī Kashmīr Observed to show Pakistan's support and unity with the people of Jammu and Kashmir. 23 March Pakistan Day Yōum-e-Pākistān Commemorates the Lahore Resolution, which formally demanded an independent Muslim-majority state to be created out of British India. The republic was also declared on this day in 1956. 1 May Labour Day Yōum-e-Mazdoor Celebrates the achievements of labour. 28 May Youm-e-Takbeer Yōum-e-Takbīr Commemorates the Chagai-I and Chagai-II series of nuclear tests. 14 August Independence Day Yōum-e-AzādīMarking Pakistani independence and the formation of Pakistan in 1947. 9 November Iqbal Day Yōum-e-Iqbāl Birthday of Muhammad Iqbal, national poet of Pakistan. 25 December Quaid-e-Azam Day Yōum-e-Quaid-e-Āzam Birthday of Muhammad Ali Jinnah, founder of Pakistan.
Islamic religious state holidays Date English Name Local Name Notes Muharram 9th & 10th Ashura Karbala Day for Shias to the mourn for the martyred Imam Hussein ibn Ali, Grandson of Prophet Muhammad. For Sunni Muslims, Ashura marks the parting of the Red Sea by Prophet Musa and the salvation of the Israelites. Also on this day, Prophet Nuh disembarked from the Ark, God forgave Prophet Adam, and Prophet Yusuf was released from prison. Rabiʽ al-Awwal 12th Mawlid Birthday of the Islamic prophet Muhammad Shawwal 1st Eid-ul-Fitr Marks the end of the fasting month of Ramadan Dhu al-Hijjah 10th Eid-ul-Adha Marks the end of the Hajj pilgrimage; sacrifices offered on this day commemorate Abraham's willingness to sacrifice his son
Optional holidays Date English Name Local Name Notes 1 January New Year's Day Nayē Sāl kā Din Commemorates the first day of the Gregorian calendar Rajab 27th (27 January) Lailat al-Miʿraj Shab-i Mi'rāj Observes the night journey of Prophet Muhammad to Al-Aqsa and the heaven Magha 5th (2 February) Basant Panchami Basant Panchamī Marks the start of spring and also honours the Hindu goddess Saraswati Shaban 14th–15th (13–14 February) Shab-e-Barat Shab-e-Barāt Night of forgiveness for the Sunni Muslims Phalguna 14th (26 February) Maha Shivaratri Mahāshivarātri Honours the Hindu deities Shiva and Parvati First full moon of Phalguna (14 March) Holi Holī Celebrates the love between the Hindu deities Radha and Krishna Farvardin 1st (20 March) Nowruz Naurōz Persian New Year Farvardin 7th (26 March) Khordad Sal Commemorates the birthday of Zarathushtra Spitama in Zoroastrianism Vaisakh 1st (14 April) Vaisakhi Celebrates the spring harvest in Punjab 18 April Good Friday Observes the crucifixion of Jesus in Christianity 20 April Easter Commemorates the resurrection of Jesus in Christianity Jalál 13th (20 April) Ridván Commemorates Baháʼu'lláh's declaration as a Manifestation of God in Baháʼí Faith First full moon of Vaisakha (5 May) Buddha's Birthday Commemorates the birthday of Siddhartha Gautama Safar 20th (15 August) Arba'in Marks forty days after Ashura Bhadra 8th (16 August) Krishna Janmashtami Commemorates the birthday of Hindu deity Krishna Rabi' al-Thani 11th (4 September) Gyarvi Sharif Commemorates the gratuity and generosity of the Sufi scholar Abdul Qadir Gilani on the 11th of every month 6 September Defence Day Yōum-e-Difā To commemorate the sacrifices made by Pakistani soldiers in defending its borders and interests. Ashvina 6th–10th (28 September–2 October) Durga Puja Celebrated because of Hindu deity Durga's victory over Mahishasura Ashvina 10th (2 October) Vijayadashami Marks the end of Durga Puja Ashvina 14th (6 October) Diwali Symbolises the spiritual "victory of light over darkness, good over evil, and knowledge over ignorance" in Hinduism Ashvina 15th (7 October) Guru Valmiki's Birthday Commemorates the birthday of the legendary poet Valmiki First full moon of Kattak (5 November) Guru Nanak Gurpurab Commemorates the birthday of the founder of Sikhism, Guru Nanak The Gregorian dates are according to the year 2025.
Historical evolution of holidays in Pakistan In early years of its independence, people in Pakistan used to observe many multi faith holidays such as Holi, Diwali, Christmas, etc. However, as the population of minority religions dropped - from about 14% in 1947Kosinski, Leszek A.; Elahi, K. Maudood, eds. (2012). Population Redistribution and Development in South Asia. Springer Science & Business Media. p. 136. ISBN 9780706908374. to 3.52% in 2017, the number of multiple-faith holidays also dropped. The main cause of the decline of the population minorities is the separation of Bangladesh, where the ratio of the non-Muslim to the total populace was high.
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