Banks to remain closed for two days on Ashura

KARACHI: All commercial banks as well as the State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed for public dealing on August 8 and 9 on the eve of Ashura (Muharram 9-10).

"The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on 8 and 9 August (Monday and Tuesday) being 9th and 10th Muharram-ul-Haram, 1444 AH on the occasion of Ashura," an SBP statement read.

The federal government, a day earlier, had approved two holidays on account of Ashura in a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, as Pakistanis and Muslims across the globe prepare to mark the religious occasion with grief, sorrow and prayers.

The holy month of Muharram-ul-Haram, marking the beginning of the new Islamic year, 1444 AH, started on July 31.