KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Monday allowed banks to open their selected branches on Saturdays with ensuring implementation of SOPs to prevent coronavirus.
The SBP said that through a notification on October 14, 2011 under which banks / microfinance banks were permitted to open their selected branches at various business centers / commercial hubs / ports etc. on Saturdays.
However, subsequent to outbreak of COVID-19 pandemic, banks / MFBs through BPRD Circular Letter No. 8 dated March 23, 2020 were advised to open their branches / work places with bare minimum staff for reduced timings from Monday to Friday until further instructions.
Since the banks / MFBs have been reverted to normal office and business hours in terms of instructions contained in BPRD Circular Letter No. 37 of July 31, 2020, hence it has been decided that banks / MFBs may open selected branches on Saturdays in line with instructions contained in BPRD Circular No. 11 of 2011 subject to implementation of SOPs / guidelines issued by the Federal & Provincial Governments, from time to time, the SBP added.
