On Monday, the government of Pakistan decided to give three day holiday on account of Eid-ul-Adha 2021. The Interior Ministry sent a summary to the PM office proposing three public holidays on Eid-ul-Adha.
According to the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, the tenth Zil Hajjah or Eid-ul-Adha will fall on 21st July in Pakistan. Therefore, the holidays will be from July 20th to July 22nd.
As per the summary, attendance will be mandatory in all public offices on Friday. i.e July 23rd.
Balham Masjid & Tooting Islamic Centre will be commencing the 1st of Dhul Hijjah 1442, from Monday 12th July 2021.
Accordingly, we will be celebrating Eid ul Adha on Wednesday 21st July 2021 Inshallah pic.twitter.com/EuruF1JQRe
— Balham Mosque & Tooting Islamic Centre (@BalhamMosqueTIC) July 11, 2021
Eid-ul-Adha 2021 will be taking place during the time of the Covid pandemic. However, this time around, Pakistan seems to be doing well while dealing with Covid-19.
Things are starting to return to normal due to a low number of cases. Restaurants are allowing in-door dining for vaccinated customers. Cinemas are also re-opening in Pakistan as Covid restrictions ease.
Read more: Pakistani cinemas set to reopen as Covid restrictions ease
Pakistan recently ranked third among 50 countries tracked by the Economist Magazine for return to pre-pandemic life.
Pakistan’s neighbors, India and China ranked 48 and 19 with scores of 46.5 and 72.9 respectively. The United States stood at 20th in the ranking.
While this is an achievement for Pakistan, the NCOC may re-advise establishing strict SOPs to keep virus contractions during Eid ul Adha to a bare minimum.
Read more: Pakistan 3rd best in the world while dealing with COVID-19: Economist report
Longer eid holidays for Govt employees?
Furthermore, this year government employees will likely get a nine-day holiday on account of Bakra Eid, according to media reports.
According to the report, Eid holidays in Pakistan are expected to start from July 17 as the government employees observe Saturday and Sunday as weekly holidays.
The Hajj holiday would be on July 20. This will be followed by the Eid-ul-Adha holidays on July 21, 22, and 23. The total days off will amount to nine days.
Read more: Eid-ul-Adha- 5 tips to have a healthy Eid this year
Offices will reopen from July 25.
The government, however, is yet to make an official announcement in this regard.