Pakistan banks to open only two days next week

KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), commercial banks, and the Pakistan Stock Exchange will remain open for only two days next week because of Eidul Adha 2026 holidays.

The government has announced public holidays from May 26 to May 28 for Eid celebrations. During these days, SBP, banks, and the stock market will stay closed.

Financial institutions will open on May 25 (Monday) and May 29 (Friday). They will then close again on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, June 1, due to the regular weekend holidays.

A day earlier, the federal government officially announced the Eidul Azha 2026 holiday schedule after approval from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The notification said, “In continuation of Cabinet Division’s circular No. 10-01/2025-Min-II dated 19th January, 2026 regarding Public and Optional Holidays for the year 2026, it is notified that the Prime Minister has been pleased to declared 26th, 27th, and 28th May, 2026 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) as public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha.”

Employees of several government departments in Islamabad will enjoy a six-day break because offices are currently following a four-day workweek under austerity measures.

After the official Eid holidays end on May 28, the regular weekend holidays from May 29 to May 31 will give government employees a long break.

Meanwhile, private sector employees have requested the government to also declare May 29 as a public holiday so they can also enjoy an extended Eid break.