The State Bank of Pakistan has announced that all public and private banks across the country will remain closed on the first day of Ramadan. This holiday has been declared because Zakat will be deducted from eligible bank accounts on that day.
According to the notification issued by the central bank, on the first of Ramadan 1447 Hijri, all banks will be closed for public dealings. This includes commercial banks, development finance institutions, and microfinance banks. There will be no customer transactions on this day.
However, bank employees will still report to work as usual. The State Bank spokesperson clarified that while public dealing will be suspended, bank staff will attend their offices on this day. Only those employees whose job involves dealing directly with customers will have the day off.
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The government has fixed the Zakat nisab for this year at Rs503,529. This means that people who have savings bank accounts, profit and loss sharing accounts, or similar accounts with a balance equal to or more than this amount will have Zakat deducted from their accounts on the first day of Ramadan. The deducted amount will be deposited into the Central Zakat Account maintained with the State Bank.
The exact date of the first Ramadan depends on the sighting of the moon. The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet in Peshawar on Wednesday, February 18, 2026, to sight the Ramadan crescent. Zonal committees will also meet in different cities across the country to collect evidence of moon sighting. If the moon is sighted on February 18, the first day of Ramadan will be on Thursday, February 19, 2026.
The announcement gives clarity to bank account holders to check their balances before the start of Ramadan. Those who may qualify for exemptions under the rules can contact their financial institutions in advance.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why will banks be closed on the first day of Ramadan?
Banks will be closed for public dealing because Zakat is deducted from eligible accounts on that day.
Will bank employees get a day off on first Ramadan?
No, bank employees will attend offices as usual, but those handling public dealings will have the day off.
What is the Zakat nisab for this year?
The government has fixed the Zakat nisab at Rs503,529 for the year 2026.
When will the first day of Ramadan be confirmed?
The Central Ruet-e-Hilal Committee will meet on February 18 to sight the moon and announce the start of Ramadan.
