A BANK holiday is observed in Pakistan for the purpose of deducting zakat. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) and all other banks remain closed for public dealing for deducting Zakat. It is also not clear as to why the SBP is closed where it does not deal with any individual accounts.

Readers may recall that in the past no holiday was observed by banks which rather opened an hour late after deducting Zakat through the computerized system. This is rather a matter of one hour for the system to deduct Zakat from relevant account-holders by using a simple command.

The federal finance minister and the State Bank governor should revisit the decision to keep banks closed on the first day of Ramazan.

A banker

Karachi

Published in Dawn, May 27th, 2017

Opinion

Editorial

Enrolment drive
Updated 10 May, 2024

Enrolment drive

The authorities should implement targeted interventions to bring out-of-school children, especially girls, into the educational system.
Gwadar outrage
10 May, 2024

Gwadar outrage

JUST two days after the president, while on a visit to Balochistan, discussed the need for a political dialogue to...
Save the witness
10 May, 2024

Save the witness

THE old affliction of failed enforcement has rendered another law lifeless. Enacted over a decade ago, the Sindh...
May 9 fallout
Updated 09 May, 2024

May 9 fallout

It is important that this chapter be closed satisfactorily so that the nation can move forward.
A fresh approach?
09 May, 2024

A fresh approach?

SUCCESSIVE governments have tried to address the problems of Balochistan — particularly the province’s ...
Visa fraud
09 May, 2024

Visa fraud

THE FIA has a new task at hand: cracking down on fraudulent work visas. This was prompted by the discovery of a...