KARACHI: Banks will resume the pre-coronavirus timings from next Monday, said the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday, reflecting the government’s approach for normalising the businesses after living under the Covid-19 influence for four months.

Banking hours were grossly reduced after a massive increase in the number of virus cases across the country. Banks were maintaining different timings for different branches keeping the virus spread in mind.

The State Bank said that effective from July 13, the banks and MFBs (microfinance banks) would observe banking hours from 9am to 5.30pm from Monday to Thursday, with lunch and prayer break from 1.30pm to 2pm. The timing for such break will be from 1pm to 2.30pm on Friday.

However, the SBP said, banks and MFBs may prescribe business hours for branches as per their business requirement. “All banks and MFBs are accordingly advised to ensure compliance with the above-mentioned timings in letter and spirit,” said a press release issued by the State Bank.

Published in Dawn, July 10th, 2020