KARACHI: The banks will remain closed for three days across Pakistan. According to the sources, the banks to remain closed for three days in Pakistan following an official announcement by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regarding Iqbal Day.
The central bank has issued a formal circular to all commercial banks, microfinance banks, and Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) declaring a public holiday on Monday, November 9, 2026, in honor of the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal.
According to the official circular, all public dealing premises and financial services will remain suspended on November 9.
Combined with the regular weekend holidays on Saturday and Sunday, financial institutions across the nation will observe a prolonged three-day closure from November 7 to November 9.
Normal banking operations, corporate dealings, and financial transactions are scheduled to resume smoothly on Tuesday, November 10, 2026.
Customers and business entities are advised to plan their urgent financial transactions accordingly as banks to remain closed for three days in Pakistan across the upcoming extended weekend.
Official Bank Holidays in Pakistan
Official bank holidays in Pakistan play a crucial role in maintaining financial operational order, ensuring regulatory compliance, and aligning national banking operations with federal observances.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulates these closures through official notifications issued to all commercial institutions, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs), and microfinance banks across the country.
Bank holidays in Pakistan generally fall under two main categories: religious observances and national historic days. Religious holidays include Eid-ul-Fitr, Eid-ul-Adha, Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram), and Eid Milad-un-Nabi, which follow the lunar calendar.
National holidays honor historical milestones, such as Kashmir Day (February 5), Pakistan Day (March 23), Labor Day (May 1), Independence Day (August 14), Iqbal Day (November 9), and Quaid-e-Azam Day (December 25).
Additionally, the central bank enforces annual accounts closure holidays, typically on July 1 (for mid-year accounts) and the first working day of January (for annual accounts).
During these procedural closures, banking staff attend office to execute internal auditing, ledger reconciliations, and balance updates, while public dealing operations remain closed.
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Modern banking infrastructure ensures that digital platforms, Online Banking Services, Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), and Point of Sale (POS) networks remain active during holidays to minimize inconvenience to the general public.
