Fresh News! Office Timings During Ramadan 2026 Announced

The federal government has officially notified the revised office hours for all federal employees during the holy month of Ramadan 2026. According to the notification issued by the Establishment Division, government offices under the federal jurisdiction will operate with reduced hours to facilitate fasting employees while maintaining essential public services . The new schedule applies to all ministries, divisions, autonomous bodies, and semi-government organizations across the country, with separate timings for five-day and six-day workweek offices . This article provides complete details of the official Ramadan 2026 office timings, prayer break schedules, and important instructions for all federal employees.

Official Office Timings for Ramadan 2026

The federal government has announced a unified yet differentiated Office Timings During Ramadan schedule based on the weekly working pattern of each institution .

For Offices with Five-Day Workweek (Monday to Thursday):

Start Time: 9:00 AM
End Time: 3:00 PM
Working Hours: 6 hours (excluding Friday)

For Offices with Six-Day Workweek (Monday to Saturday):

Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM (special shortened day)

Friday Special Timings for All Offices

On Fridays, all federal government offices will observe significantly shorter working hours to accommodate weekly congregational prayers .

All Offices (Five-Day & Six-Day): 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Total Working Hours on Friday: 3.5 hours

Zohr Prayer Break Arrangement

While the notification does not specify a fixed prayer break time, the shortened working hours are designed to allow employees to perform religious obligations comfortably within the workday. Employees are expected to adjust their prayer schedules within the official working hours, with administrative approvals for brief breaks as needed .

Complete Office Timings During Ramadan 2026

Day	Five-Day Offices	Six-Day Offices
Monday to Thursday	9:00 AM – 3:00 PM	9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Friday	9:00 AM – 12:30 PM	9:00 AM – 12:30 PM
Saturday	Closed	9:00 AM – 2:00 PM
Sunday	Closed	Closed

Source: Establishment Division Notification via PID

Who Must Follow This Schedule?

The revised Office Timings During Ramadan are mandatory for all employees working in:

Federal Government Ministries and Divisions
Attached Departments and Autonomous Bodies
Semi-Government Organizations and Corporations
Government-Owned Institutions operating under federal jurisdiction

Expected Start Date of Ramadan 2026

According to Office Timings During Ramadan 2026 is expected to begin on Thursday, February 19, 2026, subject to the sighting of the crescent moon . The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on the evening of February 18 to confirm the start date based on moon sighting testimonies from across the country .

Special Instructions for Employees

To ensure smooth implementation of the new schedule, employees are advised to follow these guidelines:

Report on Time: All employees must be present at their workstations by 9:00 AM sharp.
Friday Attendance: Despite the shorter day, attendance on Fridays is mandatory until 12:30 PM.
Prayer Accommodation: Brief breaks for prayers should be coordinated with supervisors to maintain workflow.
Leave Applications: Regular leave policies remain unchanged during Ramadan.
Service Delivery: Public-facing departments must ensure uninterrupted service to citizens during reduced hours.

Where to Verify the Official Notification

Employees are encouraged to verify the official notification through authentic government channels rather than relying on social media rumors .

Press Information Department (PID): Official website of PID publishes all government circulars.
Establishment Division: The division’s official portal contains the complete notification.
Ministry Notice Boards: All departments are required to display the official circular prominently.
Departmental HR Sections: Employees can request copies from their human resources departments.

Key Differences – Federal vs Provincial Timings

Jurisdiction	Working Hours	Friday Closing
Federal (Five-Day)	9:00 AM – 3:00 PM	12:30 PM
Federal (Six-Day)	9:00 AM – 2:00 PM	12:30 PM
Sindh Government	10:00 AM – 4:00 PM	1:00 PM
Punjab Schools	8:30 AM – 1:00 PM	1:00 PM (Friday)
Islamabad Courts	9:00 AM – 2:30 PM	12:00 PM

Why These Timings Matter

The revised office hours during Ramadan serve multiple purposes beyond just reducing work duration:

Employee Well-being: Shorter hours help fasting employees manage their energy levels while fulfilling religious obligations .
Work-Life Balance: The schedule allows employees to rest during the day and prepare for iftar with their families.
Service Continuity: Despite reduced hours, public services continue through efficient scheduling .
Productivity Focus: Concentrated work periods maintain efficiency while respecting employees’ physical limitations during fasting.

What Employees Should Do Now

With Office Timings During Ramadan expected to begin on February 19, employees should take the following steps:

Confirm the exact start date through official moon sighting announcements on February 18 evening.
Adjust daily commutes to ensure 9:00 AM arrival from the first day of Ramadan.
Inform family members and colleagues about the new schedule.
Plan work assignments to complete essential tasks within the reduced hours.
Check departmental notice boards for any institution-specific instructions.

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When will Ramadan 2026 office timings start?
From the first day of Ramadan, expected on February 19, 2026, subject to moon sighting confirmation .

2. What are the working hours for five-day offices?
9:00 AM to 3:00 PM from Monday to Thursday, and 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM on Friday .

3. What are the timings for six-day offices?
9:00 AM to 2:00 PM from Monday to Thursday and Saturday, with Friday hours from 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM .

4. Is there a fixed prayer break?
The schedule allows employees to manage prayer times within working hours; specific breaks should be coordinated with department heads .

5. Where can I download the official notification?
Visit the Press Information Department (PID) official website or check your ministry’s notice board for the official circular .

Conclusion

The Office Timings During Ramadan provides a clear and structured schedule for all employees across ministries, divisions, and autonomous bodies . With a 9:00 AM start and significantly reduced hours, especially on Fridays, the schedule balances work requirements with the spiritual and physical needs of fasting employees . Employees are advised to note the expected start date of February 19, confirm through official moon sighting announcements, and report to their workplaces on time from day one. By following the official guidelines and maintaining professional commitment during the reduced hours, federal employees can fulfill both their official responsibilities and religious observances effectively throughout the holy month.

Official Portal: https://pid.gov.pk/ (Press Information Department – Official Notifications)
Establishment Division: Check official circulars at your department or ministry