In a major relief measure for civil servants, the federal government of Pakistan has announced that salaries for March 2026 will be disbursed early, ahead of the upcoming Eid al-Fitr celebrations.

The Prime Minister’s Office has directed all ministries and departments to ensure that federal employees receive their salaries before the Eid holidays. Officials said the early payments are aimed at providing financial comfort to millions of government staff and their families during one of the country’s most important religious festivals.

Typically, federal salaries are paid at the beginning of the following month, but the early release follows existing provisions that allow advance salary payments when major holidays like Eid fall near the month’s end. This provision also supports pensioners and other government beneficiaries during significant cultural and religious observances.

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The announcement comes as the Pakistan Space and Upper Atmosphere Research Commission (SUPARCO) has projected that Eid al-Fitr 1447 AH will likely fall on Saturday, March 21, 2026, based on astronomical calculations for the new moon of Shawwal.

However, the final date will be confirmed by Pakistan’s Central Ru’yat-e-Hilal Committee after physical moon sightings from across the country. The government has urged employees to plan their finances accordingly and welcomed the early salary release as a step to ease festive preparations.

This move is expected to bring relief to millions of families, helping them manage shopping, travel, and other festive expenses comfortably.