ISLAMABAD – The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced that all commercial banks will operate on Saturday, November 29, 2025. This includes branches of the National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) handling customs duties. These branches will remain open for extended hours, from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm, to facilitate over-the-counter (OTC) payments of government taxes and duties.
The move aims to assist taxpayers in making timely payments for government services. The SBP’s directive ensures that all commercial bank branches will be available to collect payments, including those for customs duties. NBP-designated branches, which handle government receipts, will also follow the extended operating hours.
To ensure smooth processing, the NBP branches collecting government payments will settle their transactions the same day. After completing the day’s clearing cycle, these branches must settle the payments with the respective SBP-BSC field offices or head offices. This is part of the effort to expedite payments and clearances on the same day.
Furthermore, the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) will assist with the clearing process. All instruments related to government receipts and payments, presented at bank counters, will be collected by NIFT through special clearing at 5:30 pm. NIFT will also provide the clearing status of these instruments by 11:30 pm on the same day.
This initiative is designed to make the payment process more efficient and convenient for the public. It ensures that all government transactions are completed without delays, benefiting both taxpayers and government authorities.
