The federal government’s 2025 holiday calendar does not list October 27 as a public or optional holiday, although the date is observed nationwide as Kashmir Black Day to mark October 27, 1947, when occupied Indian forces entered Srinagar.
Government calendar confirms working day
Officials have not declared October 27 a holiday for 2025, so businesses, schools and offices will remain open.
Whereas, the date retains official recognition only as a day of observance.
Moreover, it symbolises the beginning of what Pakistan terms India’s illegal occupation of Jammu and Kashmir.
Consequently, the day carries strong historical and emotional weight even without a formal closure of public institutions.
How the day is observed across Pakistan
Although it isn’t a public holiday, people across the country hold rallies, seminars, and media programs to raise human rights concerns. Furthermore, reaffirm support for the right to self determination of the Kashmiri people.
Additionally, events are held in cities across Pakistan and by communities abroad, often featuring solidarity marches and educational discussions.
Moreover, the observance keeps international attention on the situation in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir and underscores Pakistan’s stated moral, diplomatic and humanitarian support for the Kashmir cause.
In sum, October 27 remains a working day but also a solemn reminder of an unresolved dispute.
Official public holidays in Pakistan
| # | Occasion | Days | Dates in 2025 |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Kashmir Day | Wednesday | 5 Feb 2025 |
| 2 | Pakistan Day | Sunday | 23 Mar 2025 |
| 3* | Eid-ul-Fitr (1st Shawwal 1446 AH) | Sunday, Monday & Tuesday | 30–31 Mar & 1 Apr 2025 |
| 4 | Labour Day | Thursday | 1 May 2025 |
| 5 | Youm-e-Takbeer | Wednesday | 28 May 2025 |
| 6* | Eid-ul-Azha (10th Zil Hajj 1446 AH) | Saturday, Sunday & Monday | 7–9 Jun 2025 |
| 7* | Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram 1447 AH) | Saturday & Sunday | 5–6 Jul 2025 |
| 8 | Independence Day | Thursday | 14 Aug 2025 |
| 9* | Eid Milad-un-Nabi (12th Rabi-ul-Awwal 1447 AH) | Friday or Saturday | 5 or 6 Sep 2025 |
| 10 | Allama Iqbal Day | Sunday | 9 Nov 2025 |
| 11 | Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas | Thursday | 25 Dec 2025 |
| 12 | Day after Christmas (Christians only) | Friday | 26 Dec 2025 |
*Islamic dates subject to lunar sighting/official notification
Source: Cabinet Division official notification
Official bank holidays in Pakistan
| # | Day / Date (2025) | Occasion | Public Access |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Wednesday, 1 Jan | Bank holiday | Banks/DFIs/MFBs closed for public, open for employees |
| 2* | Saturday, 1 Mar | Corresponds to 1st Ramazan 1446 AH for Zakat deduction | Closed for public; open for employees |
| 3 | Tuesday, 1 Jul | Bank holiday | Closed for public; open for employees |
*Islamic dates subject to lunar sighting/official notification
Source: Cabinet Division official notification
Optional holidays in Pakistan as per Cabinet Division notification
| # | Optional Holiday (Pakistan, 2025) | Days | Dates |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | New Year’s Day | Wednesday | 1 Jan 2025 |
| 2 | Shab-e-Meraj (27th Rajab 1446 AH) | Tuesday | 28 Jan 2025 |
| 3 | Basant Punchami | Sunday | 2 Feb 2025 |
| 4 | Shab-e-Barat (15th Shaban 1446 AH) | Friday | 14 Feb 2025 |
| 5 | Shivaratri | Wednesday | 26 Feb 2025 |
| 6 | Holi | Thursday | 13 Mar 2025 |
| 7 | Dulhandi | Friday | 14 Mar 2025 |
| 8 | Baisakhi | Sunday | 13 Apr 2025 |
| 9 | Good Friday | Friday | 18 Apr 2025 |
| 10 | Easter / Day After Easter | Sunday & Monday | 20–21 Apr 2025 |
| 11 | Eid-e-Rizwan (Bahá’í community only) | Monday | 21 Apr 2025 |
| 12 | Buddha Purnima | Monday | 12 May 2025 |
| 13 | Nauroz (Parsi New Year’s Day) | Friday | 15 Aug 2025 |
| 14 | Chehlum (20th Safar 1447 AH) | Friday | 15 Aug 2025 |
| 15 | Krishna Janam Ashtami | Saturday | 16 Aug 2025 |
| 16 | Birthday of Lord Zoroaster (Khordad Sal) | Wednesday | 20 Aug 2025 |
| 17 | Durga Puja | Tuesday | 30 Sep 2025 |
| 18 | Dussehra | Thursday | 2 Oct 2025 |
| 19 | Giyarvee Shareef (11th Rabi-us-Sani 1447 AH) | Saturday | 4 Oct 2025 |
| 20 | Birthday of Guru Valmik Sawami Ji | Tuesday | 7 Oct 2025 |
| 21 | Diwali | Monday | 20 Oct 2025 |
| 22 | Birthday of Guru Nanak Dev Ji | Wednesday | 5 Nov 2025 |
Source: Cabinet Division official notification
Government update on October 27 holiday
| Aspect | Core fact | 2025 status | Why it matters | How it’s observed |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Date and name | October 27, Kashmir Black Day | Not a public or optional holiday | Marks Oct 27, 1947 entry of occupied Indian forces into Srinagar | Rallies, seminars, media programs, solidarity marches |
| Government position | Not on federal holiday calendar | Working day nationwide | Clarifies recurring public queries about a day off | Offices, schools, businesses remain open |
| Historical context | Seen as the start of India’s occupation of J&K | — | Central to Pakistan’s Kashmir stance | Messages and statements by officials, civil society |
| Symbolic meaning | Solidarity with Kashmiri right to self determination | Unchanged | Keeps focus on IIOJK human rights concerns | Events in major cities and diaspora communities |
| Bottom line | Significant observance without closure | No holiday in 2025 | Sustains moral, diplomatic and humanitarian support narrative | Annual civic activities continue without shutdown |
FAQ’s on October 27 as public holiday or not?
- Is October 27 a public holiday in 2025?
No, it’s a working day, only observed as Kashmir Black Day. - Why is October 27 observed?
It marks October 27, 1947 when occupied Indian forces entered Srinagar. - Are schools and offices closed?
No, everything stays open as usual. - What usually happens on this day?
People in Pakistan and abroad hold rallies, seminars, and solidarity events. - Could it become a holiday in the future?
There’s no official decision for now, it’s not a holiday.
