The State Bank of Pakistan directs commercial banks to cancel regular Friday half-days and keep designated branches open until Saturday evening to help citizens clear government taxes before the Eid holidays.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued special instructions to all commercial banks regarding extended working hours for the collection of government duties and taxes.
According to an official SBP circular, the central bank took this decision following a direct request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to facilitate taxpayers.
Under the new directives, Friday will not be a half-day but a full working day, with all bank branches remaining open from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Friday, May 29, 2026.
Extended Saturday Timings and Clearing Details
According to the central bank notification, the special schedule will also extend into the weekend to handle the high volume of over-the-counter tax payments.
The SBP statement outlined the specific weekend operational details:
- Saturday Operations: Bank branches that regularly open on Saturdays will remain open for extended hours from 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM on Saturday, May 30, 2026.
- Clearing Services: The SBP instructed relevant branches to stay operational on Saturday until National Industrial Fluctuations and Trends (NIFT) completes the special clearing facilities needed for government financial transactions.
Non-Stop Digital Services for Eid
According to central bank officials, commercial banks must also guarantee the continuous operation of all electronic transaction networks throughout the Eid holidays. The SBP explicitly directed bank managements to keep automated teller machines (ATMs) fully functional and properly supplied with cash to meet public demand during the festive period.
Furthermore, the central bank ordered that internet banking portals, mobile applications, and digital payment platforms must provide completely uninterrupted services to support ongoing online tax and duty collections.
