Ramadan 2026: State Bank of Pakistan Announces Revised Banking Hours

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced revised banking hours for the holy month of Ramadan. As per the SBP notification, public dealing at banks will be conducted from 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM from Monday to Thursday. On Fridays, public dealing hours will be from 9:00 AM to 12:00 PM.

“All private and government banks are required to follow this schedule strictly throughout the sacred month,” the notification stated. Following the sighting of the Ramadan crescent on Wednesday, the first fast will be observed on February 19. The schedule will remain in effect until the end of Ramadan.

Regarding the newly designed currency notes, SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad said Pakistanis may not see them by Eid al-Fitr 2026. “Although the new currency designs have been prepared and submitted to the federal cabinet, printing and building stock will take time after formal approval,” he explained. The redesigned notes will feature the latest security enhancements to help citizens easily distinguish between genuine and counterfeit currency.

The governor also revealed that major banks from three countries have expressed interest in opening operations in Pakistan, though he refrained from disclosing names, noting that discussions are ongoing.

Addressing monetary policy, he clarified that lower interest rates do not automatically translate to government savings, as they reduce the State Bank’s profits, which are transferred to the government. Last year, the SBP contributed approximately Rs2.4 trillion in profits. He added that lower rates are expected to make housing loans more accessible.

Jameel Ahmad further projected that remittances could reach $42 billion this year, while overall exports may decline. Non-food exports have risen by 5–6 percent, though food exports, particularly rice, have fallen. He expressed optimism that government support could boost rice exports.

The governor also highlighted significant improvements in digital payments, with around two million merchants expected to be digitised this year, and noted a Rs150 billion increase in financing for small and medium enterprises (SMEs).