The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced extended banking hours for Saturday, October 31, 2026, directing designated bank branches across the country to stay open until 8:00 pm so that taxpayers can deposit government duties and taxes without a last-minute rush.
The arrangement has been made at the request of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). Under the SBP instructions, all designated Saturday-opening branches of commercial banks will keep their counters open until 8:00 pm on October 31, which is also the last day of the month.
Extended Banking Hours on October 31: What the SBP Has Ordered
According to the instructions, the extended banking hours apply to branches that are already designated to open on Saturdays. These branches will receive tax and duty payments until 8:00 pm instead of closing at their usual Saturday time.
Banks have also been told to keep the relevant branches open beyond regular hours if needed, so that the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) can carry out a special clearing of government receipts. This means cheques and instruments deposited for tax payments on Saturday can be processed on the same day instead of waiting for the next working day.
In addition, the central bank has asked banks to keep all digital payment channels running without disruption. These include:
- Internet banking portals
- Mobile banking apps
- ATMs
- Other online payment platforms used to pay government dues
How Extended Banking Hours Affect You
For individual taxpayers, salaried people with pending dues and small business owners, the extended banking hours offer one more full day to clear government payments in person. If you plan to pay at a counter, it is best to confirm first that your nearest branch is one of the designated Saturday-opening branches, because regular branches that stay closed on Saturdays are not covered by this order.
Businesses that deposit sales tax, withholding tax or customs duties through cheques will benefit most from the special NIFT clearing, as it allows same-day processing. Those who prefer not to visit a branch can still pay through internet banking, mobile apps or ATMs, which the SBP has asked banks to keep available throughout the day.
A few practical tips for Saturday:
- Generate your payment slip (PSID) in advance so the payment can be made quickly at the counter or online.
- Visit early in the day if possible, as designated branches may see long queues in the evening.
- Keep the bank receipt or digital confirmation as proof of payment.
Why the SBP Extends Banking Hours
The SBP regularly allows extended banking hours around key payment days when the FBR expects heavy collections. Keeping branches open late and running special clearing helps taxpayers avoid missing deadlines because of limited Saturday timings, and it helps the government record collections on time.
The step comes at a busy time for the banking sector. Earlier this week, the SBP raised its policy rate to 12%, and on October 29 it launched a new digital portal for small business financing. Taxpayers can check SBP circulars and notices on the State Bank of Pakistan website.
What Happens Next
Normal banking hours will resume from Monday. Taxpayers who are unable to make their payments on Saturday can still use online banking channels over the weekend, but they should check with their bank whether payments made after the extended banking hours will be recorded on October 31 or on the next working day.
Read More: FBR Monitoring Tightened for Key Industries
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