Central bank to remain closed on 9th and 10th Muharram following federal government’s nationwide public holidays announcement
KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Tuesday announced that banks across the country will remain closed on June 25 and 26, 2026, on account of Ashura (9th and 10th Muharram 1448 A.H.).
In an official statement, the central bank said it would observe public holidays on Thursday and Friday in line with the notification issued by the Government of Pakistan for the religious occasion.
“The State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on 25th and 26th June 2026 (Thursday and Friday) being public holidays on the occasion of Ashura (9th and 10th Moharram 1448 A.H.), as declared by the Government of Pakistan,” the SBP said.
As a result, all banking operations at commercial banks, development finance institutions and microfinance banks will remain suspended during the two-day holiday period.
Earlier, the federal government announced nationwide public holidays on June 25 and 26 to facilitate the observance of Ashura, one of the most significant occasions in the Islamic calendar.
According to a notification issued by the Cabinet Division, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif approved the public holidays for 9th and 10th Muharram-ul-Haram 1448 A.H. The holidays will be observed by all federal government offices, autonomous and semi-autonomous bodies, as well as educational institutions operating under both five-day and six-day working schedules.
The Cabinet Division has circulated the notification to all ministries, divisions, provincial governments and relevant administrative authorities to ensure implementation across the country.
Ashura is observed annually with religious gatherings, majalis and processions commemorating the sacrifice of Hazrat Imam Hussain (RA) and his companions at Karbala. Authorities across Pakistan have also put in place enhanced security and administrative arrangements to ensure the peaceful observance of the occasion.
