The government has declared Wednesday, 18 March, a one-day public holiday by an executive order, according to a gazette notification issued on Sunday.
The holiday falls between the previously scheduled holidays of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr, the notification said.
Under the authority of serial number 37 of the Ministry of Public Administration in the Allocation of Business among Different Ministries and Divisions under Schedule I of the Rules of Business 1996, revised up to April 2017, the government declared the holiday for 18 March 2026.
All government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices will remain closed on the day.
However, the order will not apply to emergency services including electricity, water, gas and other fuel supply, fire service, port operations, sanitation work, telephone and internet services and postal services.
Transport personnel engaged in these services will also remain outside the purview of the holiday, according to the circular.
Hospitals and emergency medical services, along with doctors, health workers and personnel involved in transporting medicines and medical equipment, will also remain exempt from the holiday.
The order said offices related to emergency work will continue their operations as usual.
Bangladesh Bank will issue necessary instructions regarding the operation of banks during the period.
The Supreme Court will provide directives regarding court activities.
For private sector industries, factories and establishments, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will issue instructions in line with the Bangladesh Labour Act 2006 regarding the observance of the general holiday.
