Shab e Barat 2026 and Kashmir Day: Official Holidays and Weekend Schedule

Pakistan confirms the official schedule for mid-week holidays this February. Provincial governments in Punjab and Sindh have issued notifications for school and office closures. With the Shab-e-Barat holiday merging into the Kashmir Day national break, citizens now prepare for an extended weekend starting Wednesday, February 4. Here are the specific details.

The moon sighting confirms the Shabe Barat 2026 date falls on the night of Tuesday, February 3. As per the latest Cabinet Division circulars and provincial orders to clarify the Shab e Barat holiday status. Most regions now prepare for a mid-week pause in routine.

The Punjab Government officially declared Wednesday, February 4, 2026, a public holiday. This notification covers all provincial offices and educational institutes. In Lahore, local Basant 2026 holidays and festivities further extend this break.

The Sindh Education Department also notified a holiday for all schools and colleges on the Shab e Barat 2026 date. Students and teachers will stay home on Wednesday. Federal offices remain open but offer an optional leave for employees who observe the day.

A nationwide break follows immediately on Thursday, February 5. Pakistan observes Kashmir Solidarity Day as a full national holiday. This means all banks, federal offices, and private businesses will close across the country.

• Tuesday, Feb 3: Night of shab e barat (Religious observance).
• Wednesday, Feb 4: shab e barat holiday (Punjab and Sindh).
• Thursday, Feb 5: Kashmir Day (National Public Holiday).

Many families plan to visit graveyards on the shabe barat 2026 date before the long weekend begins. Check local traffic advisories as roads near cemeteries often face congestion during these dates.