Govt announces holidays for 2019 including 23 optional ones for govt officials

The government has announced this year's holidays for the public along with a total of 23 optional holidays for its government officials.

According to the notification issued by the Interior Ministry, these optional holidays can be availed by the government servants after getting prior permission from their respective employers. However, the notification says, “Muslims can avail only one optional holiday while non-Muslims can take up to three."

Some of these optional holidays include, Basant, New Years, Holi, Shab-e-Mairaj, Good Friday, Nauroze, Easter among others.

Apart from the aforementioned holidays, the government has announced holidays for Kashmir Day on February 5, Pakistan Day on March 23, Labour Day on May 1, Eidul Fitr from June 5 till June 6, Eidul Azha from August 12 till August 14, Independence Day on August 14, Ashura from September 9 till September 10, Eid Miladun Nabi on November 10 and Quaid-e-Azam Day on December 25.

The ministry has also announced three bank holidays on January 1, May 6 and July 1. The banks will remain closed for public dealing on these two holidays, however, the bank employees will have to report to their respective banks.