KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued a circular order to bring working hours of commercial banks back to normal before the pandemic time, 9am to 5:30pm.

This order will be effective from July 13. Earlier, the SBP had announced a reduction in working hours of banks due to the coronavirus epidemic.

From Monday to Thursday, the commercial bank time is 9am to 5:30pm with prayer/lunch break from 1:30 pm to 2:00 pm. On Friday, the time is from 9am to 5:30 pm with prayer/lunch break from 1:00pm to 2.30pm.

The circular reads, “Effective from July 13, 2020, the banks/MFBs shall observe the following office timings till further orders. However, banks/MFBs may prescribe business hours for branches as per their business requirement subject to observance of SBP business (banking) hours for public dealings as notified vide BPRD Circular Letter No. 20 dated April 23, 2020.”