Pakistan’s financial system is preparing for a significant operational shift on Saturday, November 29, 2025, as commercial banks across the country gear up to provide extended over-the-counter payment services for government duties and taxes. The decision, aimed at accommodating a larger volume of taxpayers, ensures that individuals and businesses can complete their financial obligations within a specially expanded time window.
According to the directive, all commercial bank branches that normally operate on Saturdays, including National Bank of Pakistan (NBP) outlets designated for customs-related transactions, will remain open from 09:00 a.m. to 05:00 p.m. This adjustment is intended to streamline the payment process for government duties, taxes, and other official receipts by expanding availability and reducing potential congestion at service counters.
A central feature of the plan involves the NBP branches that manage government receipts and payments manually. These branches have been instructed to finalize and settle all transactions with their respective SBP-BSC field offices or head office by the end of the same day. The requirement for immediate settlement underscores the broader objective of ensuring that all government-related financial activity conducted on November 29 is accounted for without delay.
To support smooth same-day clearing, the National Institutional Facilitation Technologies (NIFT) has been assigned a critical role. All instruments—such as cheques and payment documents—connected to government receipts and payments that are submitted at bank counters on that day will be gathered through a dedicated Special Clearing operation scheduled for 05:30 p.m. Unlike routine clearing cycles, this special batch aims to accommodate the extended banking hours and ensure that no government payment instrument remains pending overnight.
In addition, NIFT is expected to provide clearing results for these instruments by 11:30 p.m. on the same day. This late-evening update is designed to give banks and government entities a clear end-of-day financial picture, supporting accountability and preventing settlement backlogs. By pushing the clearing cutoff to late night, authorities aim to give taxpayers confidence that their payments will be processed promptly and accurately.
The enhanced schedule reflects a coordinated effort between the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial banks, NBP’s government payment divisions, and NIFT. It highlights the growing emphasis on operational efficiency within Pakistan’s banking ecosystem, particularly when it comes to time-sensitive government revenue collection.
For taxpayers, the extended availability offers a practical advantage. With more time to visit bank branches, individuals and businesses can avoid last-minute rushes and ensure timely submission of duties and taxes. The initiative also supports the broader fiscal calendar by helping the government secure accurate receipts before the month ends.
As the country prepares for this one-day operational expansion, banks are expected to adjust staffing schedules, coordinate clearing logistics, and maintain readiness for increased over-the-counter activity. The collaboration between financial institutions and clearing authorities signals a continued push for smoother and more responsive government payment systems.
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