ISLAMABAD: The federal government has declared a nationwide public holiday on February 5, 2026, to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, according to official sources.
A formal notification has confirmed that the holiday will apply across Pakistan, allowing citizens to mark the day in support of the people of Kashmir. Authorities said the decision follows the annual tradition of observing February 5 as Kashmir Day.
Sindh and Punjab holidays extend the break
The sequence of holidays will effectively begin a day earlier in Sindh. The Sindh government has already announced a holiday for all educational institutions on February 4 on account of Shab-e-Barat.
The School Education Department Sindh said schools will remain closed on Shaban 15, 1447 AH, which corresponds to February 4, 2026. Officials issued the notification for this holiday on January 30, enabling students and parents to plan accordingly.
In Punjab, the provincial government has announced additional holidays linked to Basant celebrations. Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz said the province will observe holidays on February 6 and February 7. She shared the announcement in a post on social media platform X, stating that the holidays will create a long weekend for residents. As a result, Punjab will enjoy an extended break starting with Kashmir Solidarity Day on February 5.
Long weekend planned across provinces
Maryam Nawaz added that February 6 will be observed as a Basant holiday, followed by the regular weekend on February 7 and February 8. Consequently, many offices, schools, and institutions in Punjab will remain closed for several consecutive days. Meanwhile, the combination of Shab-e-Barat and Kashmir Day holidays will also provide an extended pause for students in Sindh.
Overall, the announcements from the federal and provincial governments have created a longer break in several parts of the country during the first week of February. Officials said the holidays will allow citizens to observe religious, cultural, and national events while ensuring proper planning across institutions.
