Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani -File Photo

DHAKA, March 5, 2026 (BSS) – Cabinet Secretary Nasimul Ghani today said the government has decided to declare March 18 a public holiday.

He made the announcement while talking to journalists at the Secretariat here this afternoon.

The cabinet secretary said the decision was taken at a cabinet meeting held at the Secretariat this morning, chaired by the Prime Minister Tarique Rahman.

He said with the new decision, the country will enjoy seven consecutive holidays from March 17 to March 23 on the occasion of holy Eid-ul-Fitr.

Nasimul Ghani said the cabinet meeting also decided to confer the Independence Award posthumously on former Prime Minister Begum Khaleda Zia this year.

He said several other individuals will also receive the country’s highest state award.

The cabinet secretary added that the cabinet also decided that air-conditioners in government offices cannot be operated below 25 degree Celsius.

He said all concerned have been urged to follow the government directives in order to prevent wastage of electricity.