Banking is a critical part of daily life in Pakistan, serving millions of individuals and businesses across the country. Whether you’re an account holder, a student needing a demand draft, a salaried employee collecting your paycheck, or a business owner depositing funds — knowing the bank opening hours in Pakistan is essential. This guide provides a comprehensive overview of bank timings in Pakistan, including weekdays, Fridays, public holidays, and special instructions from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP).
1. Standard Bank Opening Hours in Pakistan (Weekdays)
Most commercial banks in Pakistan follow a standardized opening and closing time issued and periodically updated by the State Bank of Pakistan. Typically, banks open to the public as follows:
- Monday to Thursday:
🕘 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM
🕓 Lunch & Prayer Break: 1:30 PM to 2:15 PM (varies slightly between banks) - Friday:
🕘 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Shorter working hours due to Jumu’ah prayers)
It’s important to note that while the official working day extends to 5:30 PM, customer-facing services usually end at 5:00 PM, with some branches ceasing transactions slightly earlier to close accounts and balance ledgers.
2. SBP Instructions and Timings for Banks
The SBP State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) regulates the opening hours for banks and financial institutions under
- SBP-designated bank holidays
- Ramadan-specific timings
- COVID-related timing adjustments (historically)
- Guidelines for extended banking hours before fiscal deadlines
SBP issues circulars when there’s a change in normal banking hours. During budget submission dates, tax deadlines, and Hajj operations, banks may be directed to operate on extended hours or even on weekends.
3. Friday Timings – A Special Case
Friday is a short working day for almost all public and private sector banks in Pakistan due to the Jumu’ah (Friday) prayers. On Fridays, the customer service window typically operates between:
- Opening Time: 9:00 AM
- Closing Time: 1:00 PM
Some Islamic banks may adjust this slightly to allow more time for prayer breaks, but the general pattern is consistent across Pakistan.
4. Banking Hours During Ramadan
During the holy month of Ramadan, bank timings are reduced to accommodate fasting hours. The SBP usually announces revised timings annually. A common schedule is:
- Monday to Thursday:
🕘 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM - Friday:
🕘 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM
These timings are applicable across both conventional and Islamic banks, although some branches extend hours closer to Eid for high-volume services like Zakat deductions or salary disbursements.
5. Saturday Banking – Are Banks Open on Saturday in Pakistan?
By default, Saturday and Sunday are non-working days for most banks in Pakistan. However, some branches are designated as “Saturday Open Branches”, especially in larger cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad.
These branches may operate with limited services such as:
- Cash deposits and withdrawals
- Funds transfers
- Utility bill payments
- Remittances
Saturday Branch Timings (where applicable):
🕘 10:00 AM to 1:30 PM
You can check your bank’s official website or helpline to confirm if your nearest branch is open on Saturdays.
6. Online Banking and ATM Availability
While physical branches have set opening hours, digital banking in Pakistan operates 24/7. This includes:
- Mobile Banking Apps (HBL Konnect, UBL Digital, Meezan Mobile, etc.)
- Internet Banking
- ATM Machines
- Phone Banking & Helplines
So even if the bank is closed, you can perform most transactions — fund transfers, bill payments, balance checks — online at any time of day or night.
7. Bank Holidays in Pakistan
The following are recognized as bank holidays:
- Eid ul-Fitr (3–4 days)
- Eid ul-Adha (3–4 days)
- Ashura (9th & 10th Muharram)
- Pakistan Day (March 23)
- Labour Day (May 1)
- Independence Day (August 14)
- Eid Milad-un-Nabi
- Quaid-e-Azam Day / Christmas (December 25)
- New Year’s Day (January 1) (often a working day)
In addition to public holidays, SBP-designated Bank Holidays such as July 1 (closing of financial year) are reserved solely for internal bank operations, and no public transactions are conducted.
8. Timings of Major Banks in Pakistan
While most banks follow SBP guidelines, some banks also share branch-specific timing:
- (Habib Bank Limited)HBL : 9:00 AM to 5:30 PM (Monday–Thu), 9:00 AM to 1:00 PM (Friday)
- UBL (United Bank Limited): Same as above, with some extended-hour branches
- MCB Bank: Follows SBP timing; Saturday service available in select locations
- Meezan Bank: 9:00 AM to 5:00 PM (Mon–Thu); 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM (Fri); shorter hours during Ramadan
9. Tips for Customers
- Arrive early to avoid end-of-day cutoff times (especially for cheques and drafts).
- Call ahead to confirm timings during Ramadan or holiday weeks.
- Use online services whenever possible to avoid queues and delays.
- Know your bank’s helpline number for urgent matters after hours.
Conclusion
Knowing bank opening times in Pakistan is vital for effective personal and business financial planning. From standard 9-to-5 weekday schedules to Friday half-days and special Ramadan adjustments, being informed about banking hours helps avoid inconvenience and delays. With growing digital alternatives, you can still access core banking services round-the-clock — but for physical services like cash handling, cheque deposits, or biometric verifications, make sure to visit during designated branch hours.