KARACHI: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) announced on Monday that it will remain closed on Wednesday, December 25, 2024, in observance of Quaid-e-Azam Day and Christmas.

In a statement, the central bank confirmed the closure in line with the public holiday declared by the Government of Pakistan for these occasions. The federal government has arranged for the advance disbursement of payments, allowances, and pensions for Dec. 2024 to all federal government employees and pensioners from the Christian community, in celebration of Christmas. The Sindh government has also decided to pay advance salaries and pensions to its employees to facilitate the holiday season.The measures are intended to support the Christian community in Pakistan and ensure that they can celebrate Christmas with ease, by providing financial assistance ahead of time. These steps reflect a gesture of goodwill from both the federal and provincial governments toward employees and pensioners who will be observing Christmas.