Federal Government is currently discussing a proposal to abolish the Saturday holiday for federal employees. This potential change, if implemented, would alter the traditional two-day weekend observed by most federal government departments, which currently includes Saturday and Sunday. A final decision is anticipated in the coming days, with the government seeking recommendations on the matter. Should the proposal receive approval, the adjustment would come into effect starting July 1, 2024.
However, this proposal is likely to face opposition from public sector employees who value their current two-day weekend structure. In the past, similar initiatives have encountered significant resistance, as was seen during Shehbaz Sharif’s previous tenure. Despite considerations to reinstate the Saturday holiday for government employees during that time, the decision was ultimately not implemented due to strong pushback.
As the government weighs the potential impact of this proposed change, it remains to be seen how stakeholders will respond. Public sector employees, in particular, may express concerns about the implications for work-life balance and productivity. The final decision, once announced, will shed light on the future direction of weekend policies for federal government employees in Pakistan.
