The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has directed commercial banks to extend operating hours to accommodate taxpayers. This decision, prompted by a request from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR), aims to facilitate the payment of government duties and taxes. Branches open on Saturdays will operate from 9:00 am to 5:00 pm on June 27th. Additionally, banks handling customs collections will have extended hours on Monday and Tuesday, remaining open until 8:00 pm and 10:00 pm respectively, with NBP branches staying open until nearly midnight on Tuesday. Banks are also required to ensure continuous operation of digital payment channels, including online and mobile banking, alongside ATMs. The extended hours are intended to support a special clearing process for government transactions managed by NIFT.