ISLAMABAD: Attendance in government and private offices remained thin on Monday, as it was the last working day before the officially-announced Eidul Fitr holidays.

This was mainly because many people had already left for their hometowns.

The government has announced four-day holidays for Eid, from July 29 to August 1, followed by a two-day weekend.

Some private schools and organisations had also given leave on Monday.

Asad Arif, a bank employee who hails from Sialkot, said his family had left on Friday, but he could not accompany them due to his official duty.

“This time the holidays alongwith the weekend have given people an opportunity to spend time with their friends and family in their towns,” said Adnan Zia, who works at Pakistan Secretariat.

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2014