The Balochistan government has announced revised winter office timings for government offices in the province, with the new schedule set to take effect on 15 October 2026 and remain in place until 14 April 2027.
According to a provincial government notification, most government offices will observe a five-day working week, with Saturdays and Sundays designated as weekly holidays.
On Fridays, offices will remain open from 08:30 to 15:30, with a break for Friday prayers and lunch from 13:15 to 14:15.
The notification also sets out separate timings for offices affiliated with the Health and Education Departments.
These offices will operate from 08:30 to 14:30 on Mondays to Thursdays and Saturdays. On Fridays, working hours will be from 08:30 to 12:30.
Schools, colleges and universities are exempt from the revised office timings, according to the notification.
The changes are intended to facilitate government operations during the winter season.
The revised schedule will remain in effect until 14 April 2027, after which the government may issue further instructions regarding office timings.
Passport office timings: Big update announced
The Passport Department has announced a new facility for citizens, deciding to keep passport delivery counters open every Saturday across the country.
According to an official notification, citizens will be able to collect their ready passports from the relevant delivery counters on Saturdays.
As per the announcement, passport delivery counters nationwide will remain open from 8am to 4pm every Saturday. The special Saturday passport delivery service will continue for two months.
The initiative is aimed at making passport collection easier for citizens who are unable to visit delivery counters during regular office hours due to work, personal commitments or other reasons.
Under the new arrangement, citizens can collect their prepared passports from their respective delivery counters on Saturday. The Passport Department said the move is intended to provide additional convenience and ensure the timely delivery of passports.
The department has also warned citizens that passports that remain uncollected for more than six months will be disposed of in accordance with government policy.
Citizens have therefore been advised to collect their ready passports within the prescribed period to avoid any inconvenience.
On the other hand, Passport offices in eight major cities across Pakistan will now work in two shifts to provide better services to citizens.
These cities include Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Multan, Bahawalpur, Peshawar, Rawalpindi, Hyderabad, and Quetta.
