Designated bank branches across Pakistan will stay open until 8:00pm on Saturday, October 31, 2026, so taxpayers can deposit government duties and taxes on the last day of the month, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed.
What happened?
In a statement issued on October 29, 2026, the central bank said the decision was taken at the request of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) to facilitate over-the-counter payments of government duties and taxes. The extended hours apply to branches already designated to open on Saturdays.
Key details
- Designated Saturday-opening branches of all commercial banks will remain open until 8:00pm on October 31, 2026.
- The arrangement covers over-the-counter payments of government duties and taxes.
- Banks must keep digital payment channels running without interruption, including internet banking, mobile banking apps, ATMs, and other online platforms.
- Banks have been advised to keep relevant branches open as long as needed for a special clearing of government receipts by the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT), so cheques deposited on Saturday can be processed the same day.
- Taxpayers planning an over-the-counter payment should check that their branch is a designated Saturday-opening branch before visiting.
What it means for people in Pakistan
Anyone with a tax or duty payment due at month-end gets extra hours today instead of a last-minute rush, and same-day clearing means a cheque deposited on Saturday counts for October 31 rather than waiting until Monday. Those who prefer not to visit a branch can still pay through internet banking, mobile apps, or ATMs, which the SBP has asked banks to keep available throughout the day.
Source: https://pkrevenue.com/sbp-bank-timings-october-31-2026/
