The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced revised office and business timings for the month of Ramazan.

In a notification issued on Monday, the SBP outlined the adjusted schedule that will be followed by all banks, development financial institutions and microfinance banks (MFBs) during the holy month.

During Ramazan, the SBP and affiliated institutions will observe office hours from 9am to 3:30pm from Monday to Thursday, with a prayer break scheduled from 2pm to 2:30pm.

On Fridays, the office timings will be from 8:30am to 1pm, with no midday break.

Additionally, banks and MFBs have been advised to maintain business (banking) hours for public dealing from 9am to 2pm without a break from Monday to Thursday, and from 8:30am to 1pm on Fridays with no break.

The notification further stated that these adjusted timings will automatically revert to pre-Ramazan schedules after the conclusion of the holy month. The exact start date of Ramazan is contingent upon the sighting of the moon, expected to fall on either March 12 or 13.

Earlier on March 8, the SBP had announced that the central bank will remain closed for public dealing on the first of Ramazan, which shall be observed as bank holiday for the purpose of deduction of Zakat.