Eid ul Adha in Pakistan: How many holidays for banks?

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that the central bank would remain closed from June 29-30 due to the religious festival of Eid ul Adha.

As a result, all commercial banks across the country will also remain closed for four days — Thursday, Friday, Saturday, and Sunday.

The federal government had a day earlier approved a three-day holiday on account of Eid ul Adha.

In a statement, the Cabinet Division said: “[…] it is for general information that the Prime Minister is pleased to approve the public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha as follows:

• June 29 to 30, 2023 (Thursday and Friday) for the offices observing five days working in a week; and
• June 29 to July 1, 2023 (Thursday, Friday and Saturday) for the offices observing 6 days working in a week."

The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee sighted the Zil Hajj moon in Pakistan on Monday, meaning that Eid ul Adha will be celebrated across the country on June 29 (Thursday).

The decision was announced after the moon sighting committee met under the chairmanship of Maulana Abdul Khabir Azad.

The testimonies of moon sightings were received from various cities including Karachi, Lahore and others, the Ruet-e-Hilal committee chairman said.