DHAKA, March 8, 2026 (BSS)– The government has issued a gazette notification declaring a one-day public holiday on Wednesday, March 18, by an executive order. 

The holiday has been announced as the date falls between the pre-scheduled holidays for Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr, said a notification issued today.

According to the notification, under the authority of serial number 37 of the Ministry of Public Administration in the Allocation of Business among Different Ministries and Divisions (Schedule I of the Rules of Business 1996, revised up to April 2017), the government has declared March 18, 2026, as a one-day public holiday by executive order.

The holiday falls between the previously scheduled holidays of Shab-e-Qadr and Eid-ul-Fitr. During the holiday, all government, semi-government, autonomous, semi-autonomous and private offices will remain closed.

However, the holiday 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 services and their related personnel will also remain outside the purview of the holiday.

Doctors and medical staff engaged in healthcare services, as well as vehicles and personnel transporting medicines and medical equipment, will also remain exempted from the holiday.

The order further said offices connected to emergency work would remain exempt.  Bangladesh Bank will issue necessary instructions regarding the operation of banks during the period.

The Supreme Court will provide necessary directives regarding court activities. 

For private sector industries, factories and establishments, the Ministry of Labour and Employment will issue necessary instructions in accordance with the Bangladesh Labour Act, 2006, regarding the declaration of general holidays.