Banks in Pakistan to open for just two days next week

KARACHI – The State Bank of Pakistan, commercial banks, and the stock market will remain open for just two days next week amid Eidul Azha 2026 holidays. The government has announced public holidays from May 26 to May 28, covering the first two days of Eid. During this period, SBP, commercial banks, and the stock market will remain closed. The financial institutions will operate on May 25 (Monday) and May 29 (Friday). The usual weekly weekend closure on Saturday, May 30, and Sunday, June 1, will also keep these institutions closed. A day earlier, the federal government on Wednesday announced the schedule of public holidays for Eidul Azha 2026. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved three holidays starting from May 26 to May 29. “In continuation of Cabinet Division’s circular No. 10-01/2025-Min-II dated 19th January, 2026 regarding Public and Optional Holidays for the year 2026, it is notified that the Prime Minister has been pleased to declared 26th, 27th, and 28th May, 2026 (Tuesday, Wednesday and Thursday) as public holidays on the occasion of Eid-ul-Azha,” read the notification. Employees of several government departments in the capital will enjoy a six-day break for Eid-ul-Azha 2026, as offices are operating on a four-day workweek under ongoing austerity measures. The official Eid holidays, which end on May 28, will be followed by the regular weekend (May 29–31), giving government employees a continuous six-day break. However, employees in the private sector have urged the government to declare May 29, the third day of Eid, as a public holiday as well, so they too can benefit from an extended break.