APROPOS the letter ‘Banking hours’ (15 May). The writer sought an explanation about reduced banking hours during Ramazan. While public dealing is closed at 2pm, the banking sector’s office timing in Ramazan is 10am to 4pm.

A sizeable portion of the after-business hours is spent on keeping track of all transactions performed during the day, preparing settlement sheets, complying with head office directives, maintaining credit records, and closing accounts for the day. Owing to these tasks, it is usual for employees to sit late. In my opinion during the holy month, the government should ensure that no one stays till late in offices.

Until last year, banks used to open at 8am. However, as a result of this practice, employees used to face acute lack of sleep which affected their productivity and performance negatively.

The new timing is more suitable and should encourage bank employees to perform better at work while fulfilling their religious obligations.

Q.U

Lasbela, Balochistan

(2)

APROPOS the letter ‘Banking hours’ (May 15). I am a banker with 14 years in the profession. The past 13 years during Ramazan banks would open for business at 8 am but rarely did a customer show up before 10 am. The reason: in Ramazan Muslim are busy in prayers late into the night and wake for Sehri and try to catch a nap after Fajr prayers.

In my opinion the government has acted wisely by directing banks to open for business at 10am and close at 4pm.

Th e State Bank of Pakistan deserves praise for trying a new approach this year.

Syed Wasi Ul Hassan

Hangu, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa

Published in Dawn, May 20th, 2019