The State Bank of Pakistan has announced that all banks across the country will remain closed on Monday, November 9, 2026, on account of Iqbal Day. With Saturday and Sunday falling on the weekly off days, the holiday announcement turns the closure into a three-day shutdown for bank branches, from November 7 to 9. Normal banking operations are scheduled to resume on Tuesday, November 10.
In a circular sent to the presidents and chief executives of all commercial banks, microfinance banks and development finance institutions, the central bank directed that all public dealing premises and banking services stay shut on November 9. The move follows the federal government’s declaration of a public holiday for Iqbal Day, the national holiday marking the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, widely known as the Poet of the East.
What the SBP circular says
The State Bank’s circular confirms that Monday, November 9 will be observed as a public holiday across the banking sector. All public dealing at bank branches — including cash counters, customer service desks and clearing operations — will remain closed for the day. The State Bank’s own offices will also stay shut on Monday.
The closure covers every category of regulated institution: commercial banks, microfinance banks and development finance institutions have all been instructed to suspend public dealing for the day. The announcement was made in line with the federal government’s public holiday notification, which places Iqbal Day among the country’s fixed national holidays.
Why the closure lasts three days
Iqbal Day falls on a Monday this year, which means the holiday lands right after the weekend. Saturday, November 7 and Sunday, November 8 are the regular weekly off days for most offices, so combined with the Monday holiday, bank customers face three consecutive days without branch banking.
Friday, November 6 is therefore the last full banking day before the break — anyone with branch-only work should plan to finish it by then. Banks reopen for normal business on Tuesday, November 10, when the weekly cycle resumes.
What stays open and what to finish before the weekend
The three-day break does not shut down digital banking. ATMs, mobile banking apps and digital wallets are expected to keep working as usual throughout the closure, so routine transfers, bill payments and balance checks can continue without interruption.
However, anything that needs a physical branch — pay orders, large cash deposits or withdrawals, account opening paperwork and other counter services — cannot wait until next week. Customers are advised to complete such tasks by Friday, November 6, or hold them until Tuesday, November 10. Planning cash needs in advance is wise, since branch cash services will be unavailable for three days.
It is worth noting that the Pakistan Stock Exchange has also announced it will remain closed on Monday, November 9, through an official notice to its trading rights entitlement holders, so share trading pauses for the day as well.
Iqbal Day and the long weekend
Iqbal Day commemorates the birth anniversary of Allama Muhammad Iqbal, the poet-philosopher regarded as the thinker of Pakistan and celebrated as the Poet of the East. The holiday is one of the fixed national observances in the Cabinet Division’s annual holiday calendar, and it is observed across federal and provincial government departments, educational institutions and most private offices.
For employees and students who already have Saturday and Sunday off, the Monday holiday creates a natural three-day weekend from November 7 to 9 — a short break before the winter routine sets in. Government offices, schools and most workplaces reopen alongside the banks on Tuesday, November 10.
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