Pakistan will observe three public holidays for Eidul Azha from May 26 to May 28 after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved a nationwide holiday schedule ahead of the religious festival.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division of Pakistan, all public offices, educational institutions and businesses observing official holidays will remain closed during the three-day period.
The decision follows the announcement by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee that Eidul Azha will fall on May 27 after the Zilhajj moon was sighted across multiple parts of the country.
Committee chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad confirmed that authorities received credible moon sighting testimonies from Karachi, Mardan, Rawalpindi, Peshawar and other regions.
“Therefore, it has been decided that the first Zilhajj 1447 AH will be on May 18, while Eidul Azha will fall on May 27,” he said during a press conference in Karachi.
The Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission, commonly known as SUPARCO, had earlier forecast that the moon would likely become visible on May 17.
Markets Expect Eid Business Surge Despite Inflation
The holiday announcement came days after provincial governments temporarily lifted early market closing restrictions imposed under austerity measures.
Authorities in Punjab, Sindh, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Balochistan allowed shopping centres, markets and restaurants to extend operating hours ahead of Eid shopping activity.
Retailers hope the relaxed timings will help revive business after weeks of weak consumer spending linked to rising fuel costs and regional uncertainty.
However, inflation continues affecting both traders and buyers during the Eid season.
Consumers visiting cattle markets across major cities reported sharp increases in sacrificial animal prices compared with last year.
A healthy goat that sold for Rs100,000 to Rs125,000 last year now costs nearly Rs180,000 to Rs220,000 in many urban cattle markets.
“This year, even middle-income families are struggling to arrange money for sacrificial animals,” buyer Shayan Baig said.
Transport and Fodder Costs Push Prices Higher
Livestock traders blamed rising transportation charges, fodder expenses and inter-city movement costs for the increase in prices.
Many sellers said bringing animals from rural regions to urban centres now costs significantly more than previous years.
Economists say Eidul Azha generates billions of rupees in temporary economic activity annually through livestock trading, transportation, fodder supply and seasonal employment.
At the same time, inflationary pressure continues shaping consumer behaviour.
According to the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics, food prices, transport expenses and energy costs remained major financial burdens for households during the first quarter of 2026.
Retailers in shopping centres say families continue visiting markets but are spending more cautiously.
Many consumers now focus only on essential Eid purchases rather than large-scale shopping.
Despite financial pressure, traders expect business activity to accelerate sharply during the final days before Eidul Azha.
