The state bank has announced public holidays for the banking and financial sector in observance of Eid-ul-Fitr and Pakistan Day.
According to an official statement, both public and private financial institutions will remain closed for four consecutive days during the holiday period.
The State Bank of Pakistan, Pakistan Stock Exchange, Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), commercial banks, and other financial institutions will observe the holidays.
Banks across the country will remain closed on March 23 in connection with Pakistan Day.
The statement said Eid-ul-Fitr holidays will be observed on Friday and Saturday, March 20 and 21, followed by the regular weekly holiday on Sunday. March 23 will be marked as a public holiday on account of Pakistan Day.
Normal operations at the State Bank, commercial banks, and other financial institutions will resume from March 24, while stock market trading will also return to routine from Tuesday, March 24.
Sindh government declares public holiday on March 23
The Government of Sindh has also announced a public holiday on March 23 to mark Pakistan Day.
According to an official notification, all provincial government offices, departments, corporations under the provincial government and local government institutions will remain closed across Sindh.
However, offices providing essential public services will remain open to serve the people on the day.
Private schools may end Saturday holiday
Private schools in Pakistan have reportedly proposed ending the Saturday holiday for students, according to reports.
The proposal was made by Qazi Naeem Anjum, head of Pak Aiwan-e-Taleem for Private Schools.
He suggested that summer holidays should be reduced to two months and winter holidays to 10 days in January.
He said private schools should complete at least 180 teaching days each year and removing the Saturday holiday could help complete the syllabus on time.
However, no final decision has been made yet. The School Education Department said it will review the proposal before taking any action.
Separately, the Sindh government has also announced a public holiday on the occasion of Jumat ul Wida, falling on March 19, Provincial Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah confirmed on Wednesday.
According to the minister, the provincial administration has decided to announce a public holiday for the ease of the citizens to observe religious activities and take part in prayers to observe the last Friday of the month of Ramzan.
Also read: SBP announces holiday on Pakistan Day
