KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan and all the banking and financial institutions will observe Bank Holiday for Zakat deduction on the 1st day of ensuing holy month of Ramazan and will remain closed for public dealing.
“The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed for public dealing on 1st Ramazan-ul-Mubarak, 1447 A.H., which shall be observed as “Bank Holiday” for the purpose of deduction of Zakat,” the central bank announced in a statement.
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee as well as zonal committees are scheduled to meet on February 18, 2026 to sight the crescent of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447A.H. The beginning of Ramazan, like other months of the lunar calendar, depends on sighting of the crescent and formal announcement in this regard is made by the Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee Pakistan.
In case of sightings of the new moon on February 18- as projected by SUPARCO on the basis of astronomical indicators and data- the 1st day of Ramazan-ul-Mubarak 1447 will fall on Thursday, 19 February 2026.
All banks, Development Finance Institution (DFIs) and Micro Finance Banks (MFBs) will, subsequently, remain closed for public dealing on the first day of the holy month, the central bank statement mentioned, adding that all employees of the banks, DFIs and MFBs will attend the office on Bank Holiday treating it as a normal working day (except for public dealing).
