A severe heatwave is expected across Punjab during the Eid ul Azha holidays, with temperatures likely to remain 4 to 7 degrees Celsius above normal levels.
According to a spokesperson for the Punjab Disaster Management Authority (PDMA), temperatures in southern districts could rise up to 50°C, while the mercury in several cities, including Lahore, may reach 42°C.
Officials also warned that intense heat could persist even during nighttime hours.
The Director General of PDMA advised citizens to avoid unnecessary travel and outdoor activities between 10:00 am and 5:00 pm and urged people to increase their intake of water and cold beverages.
The authority further instructed the public to wear light coloured and loose fitting clothes, keep their heads covered and ensure that children and elderly individuals remain indoors during extreme heat.
PDMA also directed authorities to ensure proper shade and drinking water arrangements at cattle markets set up for Eid ul Azha.
Special precautions have been advised for butchers, traders and sanitation workers during Eid days due to the extreme weather conditions.
Citizens have been asked to contact the PDMA helpline 1129 in case of emergencies or for further information.
Eid ul Azha holidays announced in Punjab
The Punjab government has released an official notification regarding Eid ul Azha 2026, stating that the festivities of the second biggest annual holiday will be marked by three public holidays in Punjab.
An official notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department in Lahore announced that Eid ul Azha 2026 will be celebrated with three public holidays in Punjab.
Holidays are observed throughout the province from May 26 to May 28.
According to the notification, all government offices and public institutions will remain closed in Punjab during this time.
Similarly, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) provincial administration department has also declared public holidays for Eid ul Azha.
The federal government has also announced Eid-ul-Azha holidays in Pakistan from May 26 to May 28 on the PM’s approval.
The public holidays will be marked on May 26, 27, and 28, the separate notification said, across the country.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee earlier said that Eid ul Azha 2026 will be celebrated in Pakistan after the moon of Zilhaj was sighted in the country on 27 May.
The announcement was made at the Meteorological Department office in Karachi after a meeting, the zonal and district Ruet-e-Hilal committees in other cities of Pakistan were also holding simultaneous meetings.
In the meantime, markets for cattle are extremely busy in the country in preparation for Eid ul Azha.
This has resulted in traders from all over coming together to the major livestock markets with a variety of sacrificial animals.
Special cattle markets have been established in major cities such as Lahore, Islamabad, Karachi, Peshawar, and Quetta.
The markets are projected to stay open till the third day of Eid, serving the ever-increasing demand for sacrificial animals, ahead of the religious festival.
Also read: KP government announces four Eid-ul-Azha holidays
