According to an official statement issued on Tuesday, not only commercial banks but also Development Finance Institutions (DFIs) and Microfinance Banks (MFBs) will suspend public dealings on that day. Customers will not be able to carry out over the counter transactions, deposits, or withdrawals.

However, the central bank made it clear that this will not be a day off for bank employees. Staff members of banks, DFIs, and MFBs will report to work as usual. The day will be treated as a regular working day internally, with operations continuing behind the scenes just without public interaction.

This annual bank holiday is observed in line with the mandatory deduction of Zakat from eligible accounts at the start of Ramadan. The practice reflects the country’s structured approach to fulfilling a key pillar of Islamic financial responsibility. By pausing public transactions for a day, financial institutions ensure a smooth, orderly, and transparent deduction process.

For account holders, the announcement serves as a timely reminder to review their balances and ensure their accounts are in order before the holy month begins.

As Ramadan approaches, the temporary closure is less of a disruption and more of a quiet administrative reset a brief pause that aligns the banking system with the spiritual rhythm of the season.