ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on Sunday approved a five-day holiday for the upcoming Islamic festival of Eid Al-Adha, as nearly one million people gathered in Makkah to perform Hajj this year.
The second major religious festival for Muslims across the world, Eid Al-Adha falls on the tenth day of Dhu Al-Hijjah, the last month of the lunar Islamic calendar, marking the end of the annual Hajj pilgrimage.
Pakistan’s moonsighting committee announced last Wednesday the country would celebrate the Islamic festival on July 10.
“The Prime Minister has seen and is pleased to approve the Eid-ul-Azha holidays from 8th to 12th July, 2022 (Friday to Tuesday),” said an official notification circulated by the PM Office on Sunday. “Further action may be taken accordingly.”
Pakistan’s provincial administrations of Punjab and Sindh have already allowed markets to function for longer durations ahead of Eid to help people prepare for the festival.
Previously, the provincial governments had ordered businesses and markets to close by 9pm to conserve energy amid a growing power crisis in the country.
Pakistan has also reported rising number of coronavirus cases in recent days and its central pandemic response body has made it mandatory for people to wear masks on all domestic flights, railways and public transport while traveling.











