Banks in Pakistan will remain closed for four days, November 1 to 4, Saturday through Tuesday, as 9 and 10 Moharram will fall on Monday and Tuesday.
These prolonged bank holidays will affect government employees and pensioners, who receive their payments on the first of the month. This means that the first month of the Islamic year (1436 Hijri) will be really hard for the low paid fixed income group of population who live on salary or pension.
There are two options are available for the government to avoid hardship to likely effectees: 1) The government may issue instructions to AGPR/Accountants General to pay salaries and pension on Friday (31 October), or 2) State Bank of Pakistan may instruct all banks to remain open on Saturday for payment of salary and pension to government employees.
It is hoped that an early decision is taken in this regard in the public interest.
ASGHAR MAHMOOD
Islamabad
