SBP declares July 1 a bank holiday for year-end account settlement; branch services to remain unavailable to customers
KARACHI: Banks across Pakistan will close their public dealing windows on July 1, 2026, as financial institutions undertake the annual exercise of settling accounts at the close of the fiscal year.
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced the bank holiday through a circular issued on June 24, 2026, confirming that the central bank will remain closed for public dealing on Wednesday, July 1, 2026.
According to the SBP, the day will be observed as a “Bank Holiday” to facilitate the annual closing and reconciliation of accounts following the end of the fiscal year on June 30.
As a result, all commercial banks, Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs) across the country will remain closed for public dealing. Customers will not be able to carry out over-the-counter transactions, including cash deposits, withdrawals, cheque clearing-related activities and other branch-based banking services.
However, employees of banks, DFIs and MFBs will attend their offices as usual to complete year-end accounting, reconciliation and reporting requirements.
While physical branch services will remain unavailable to customers, digital banking channels are expected to continue operating. ATMs, internet banking platforms, mobile banking applications and other electronic payment services are likely to remain functional, subject to individual banks’ operational arrangements.
The annual bank holiday is a longstanding practice in Pakistan’s banking sector, allowing financial institutions to finalise their books of accounts and prepare financial records for the commencement of the new fiscal year.
The SBP has advised customers and businesses to plan their banking activities in advance to avoid inconvenience arising from the temporary suspension of branch services on July 1.
Banking operations for the public are expected to resume as normal from July 2, 2026, following completion of the year-end settlement process.
