State Bank of Pakistan, acting on a directive from the Ministry of Religious Affairs and Interfaith Harmony, today instructed 14 financial institutions to extend their branch hours this Saturday, August 9, 2025. Branches will remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 2:30 p.m. to accommodate the influx of Hajj 2026 applications.
The Ministry had previously designated these 14 banks to receive applications for the 2026 pilgrimage. Applicants have been able to submit their forms since August 4, 2025, with the deadline set for August 9, 2025. The participating institutions are National Bank of Pakistan, Habib Bank, United Bank, MCB Bank, Allied Bank, Bank Alfalah, Zarai Taraqiati Bank, Faysal Bank, Askari Bank, Bank Al-Habib, Habib Metropolitan Bank, Soneri Bank, Meezan Bank, and Bank Islami. This extended Saturday service aims to facilitate the process for those seeking to perform Hajj in 2026.