ISLAMABAD, Aug 24: The federal government has clarified that its offices will not be closed for the local body polls on Thursday. However, it said, employees would be free to cast votes during the polling hours.

In line with the decision of the federal government, the State Bank of Pakistan and all offices and branches of the SBP Banking Services Corporation, including the public debt offices, banks and development finance institutions (DFIs) would remain open for business transactions.

Employees of the State Bank, SBP Banking Services Corporation, banks and DFIs could cast their votes during the polling hours.