KARACHI (Kashmir English): All banks, including the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), will observe a “bank holiday” on the 1st of Ramazan, 1447 A.H., for the purpose of Zakat deduction.
In a statement issued on Tuesday, the central bank said that all banks, development finance institutions (DFIs), and microfinance banks (MFBs) will remain closed for public dealings on the same date.
However, the SBP clarified that employees of banks, DFIs, and MFBs will attend the office as usual.
The day will be treated as a normal working day for staff, except that there will be no public dealings.
The annual bank holiday is observed in line with the practice of deducting Zakat from eligible accounts on the first day of Ramazan.
Ramazan 2026 moon
The Pakistan Meteorological Department has predicted that Ramazan moon will likely be sighted on February 18, particularly in parts of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.
The PMD said that clear skies are expected over the plains of KP, including Peshawar, while upper areas of the province may experience partly cloudy conditions.
The Met Department added that the moon’s age will exceed 19 hours and it is expected to remain visible on the horizon for around 35 minutes by tomorrow evening.
Earlier, the PMD said the new moon of the holy month will be born on February 17 at 5:01pm (PST), with a fair chances of sighting on the evening of February 18, corresponding to 29th Shaban 1447 AH.
