Revised banking hours announced for Ramadan
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The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced revised banking hours for the holy month of Ramadan, adjusting schedules to accommodate fasting hours.
According to an official statement, banks will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday without any breaks. On Fridays, banking hours will be from 9:00 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
For public dealings, banks will be open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m. from Monday to Thursday, with Friday services closing at 12:30 p.m..
The SBP spokesperson confirmed that all commercial banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), and microfinance banks will follow the revised schedule during Ramadan.
Earlier, the Establishment Division had issued a notification adjusting working hours for federal government offices. Offices operating on a five-day workweek will function from 9:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m., while those on a six-day workweek will operate from 9:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.. On Fridays, all government offices will close at 12:30 p.m. for Jumu'ah prayers.
In a related update, Pakistan Railways has also revised working hours for reservation offices. Offices operating in two shifts will follow this schedule:
Morning shift: 7:30 a.m. to 12:30 p.m.
Evening shift: 12:30 p.m. to 5:30 p.m.
On Fridays, there will be a break from 12:30 p.m. to 2:00 p.m. for prayers.
However, reservation offices working on a single shift will continue with their existing schedules. These adjustments will remain in effect until the 15th of Ramadan, after which regular timings will resume.
Citizens are advised to plan accordingly and utilise online banking services where possible to avoid inconvenience.
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