SBP’s Order: Banks Open Till 8pm on Saturday, 31 October
If you have been putting off a tax payment until the last day of the month, the State Bank of Pakistan has given you a few extra hours. In a statement issued on Thursday, 29 October 2026, the central bank directed designated branches of all commercial banks to remain open until 8:00 pm on Saturday, 31 October, so that taxpayers can deposit government duties and taxes over the counter without a last-minute rush.
The extended hours apply to branches that are already designated to open on Saturdays. Instead of closing at their usual Saturday time, these branches will keep their counters open until 8:00 pm, giving individuals and businesses a full extra window to complete their payments on the final day of October.
Why FBR Asked for the Extension
The decision was taken at the request of the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR). The last day of the month is traditionally the busiest for government receipts, as taxpayers — particularly businesses settling monthly duties and taxes — rush to make payments before the books close. By keeping bank counters open late, the SBP and FBR hope to spread that rush across more hours and avoid long queues, rejected transactions and missed deadlines.
The move is part of a broader push to make the month-end collection cycle smoother. Government receipts collected through bank branches are settled through the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT), which runs a special clearing for government payments — and the SBP has told banks to keep their relevant branches open for as long as necessary to support that special clearing on 31 October.
Which Branches Stay Open — Check Before You Go
It is important to understand exactly which branches are covered. The SBP’s instructions apply only to branches designated for Saturday opening. Regular branches that remain closed on Saturdays are not covered by this order and will not open specially for the occasion.
Before heading out, confirm that your nearest branch is one of the designated Saturday-opening branches — a quick call to your bank’s helpline or a check on its website can save a wasted trip. And if you plan to pay at a counter, aim to arrive well before 8:00 pm; the extended deadline is meant to ease the rush, not to encourage everyone to arrive in the final hour.
Digital Banking and ATMs Stay Available
For those who prefer not to visit a branch at all, the SBP has also instructed commercial banks to ensure the uninterrupted availability of digital payment channels throughout the day. Internet banking, mobile banking applications, ATMs and other digital platforms must remain fully functional so that taxpayers can complete their government payments online.
One caution for online payers: payments made after the extended banking hours should be checked against your bank’s cut-off policy, because a payment initiated late in the evening may be recorded on the next working day rather than on 31 October itself. If your payment must count for October, the over-the-counter route at a designated branch is the safer option.
Normal banking hours will resume from the next working day. The extended-hours order is a one-day arrangement for 31 October only — but for taxpayers racing the month-end clock, those extra evening hours could make all the difference.
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