ISLAMABAD: The federal government has announced a public holiday across Pakistan on December 25 in observance of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas, resulting in the closure of banks and financial institutions nationwide.
In this reagrd, December 25 will be observed as a public holiday throughout the country. The decision has been taken to commemorate the birth anniversary of Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah, the founder of Pakistan, and to mark Christmas, which is celebrated by the Christian community across the country and around the world.
In this sense, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has also issued a formal statement confirming that all banks will remain closed on December 25.
The central bank stated that, in line with the federal government’s announcement, all public and private sector commercial banks, development finance institutions, and microfinance banks will not conduct normal business operations on that day.
Furthermore, the SBP further clarified that all financial institutions operating under its regulatory framework will observe the holiday. As a result, branch-based banking services, including over-the-counter transactions, customer services, and interbank dealings, will remain suspended for the day.
However, electronic banking services such as ATMs, mobile banking applications, and online banking platforms are expected to remain operational, subject to routine technical availability.
The announcement applies uniformly across all provinces and administrative regions, ensuring a nationwide observance of the public holiday. Government offices, public sector institutions, and many private organizations are also expected to remain closed or operate on limited schedules, depending on internal policies.
At the same time, Christmas is an important religious festival for Pakistan’s Christian community. The public holiday reflects the country’s commitment to recognizing religious diversity and promoting interfaith harmony.
On the other hand, Sindh government has declared the public holiday on 27th December in the context of the death anniversary of Benazir Bhutto.
Citizens are advised to plan their banking and financial activities accordingly to avoid inconvenience. The federal government’s announcement has been widely circulated to ensure public awareness and smooth coordination across sectors.
