The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that commercial bank branches that typically remain open on Saturdays will observe normal banking hours until 5:30 pm on June 24 (Saturday).
The decision was made in response to a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to facilitate the collection of taxes through Alternate Delivery Channels (ADCs) using the over-the-counter (OTC) facility.
In addition to keeping their branches open, commercial banks have been advised to ensure the continuous availability of their online payment facilities, such as internet banking and mobile apps. This measure aims to facilitate taxpayers in making online payments for government duties and taxes.
The timing of this decision is significant as the Eid ul Adha holidays coincide with the end of the current financial year. Traditionally, banks and financial institutions observe gazetted holidays for Eid ul Adha. Therefore, taxpayers would need to submit their taxes and duties before the holidays.
By keeping the banks open on Saturday and ensuring the availability of online payment facilities, the SBP aims to facilitate taxpayers in meeting their obligations conveniently before the Eid ul Adha holidays.
Meanwhile, the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee, under the leadership of Chairman Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad, has officially announced that Eidul Azha will be celebrated on June 29.
The decision was reached after a two-day session dedicated to moon sighting for the month of Zil Hajj.
The committee received testimonies of moon sighting from various cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and others, which were crucial in determining the date of Eidul Azha. The meeting was attended by representatives from the Ministry of Religious Affairs, SUPARCO, Department of Meteorology, and the Ministry of Science and Technology.
