Ramazan special: KCCI wants extended banking hours
He said that in light of the recent economic and political hardships faced by the country’s business community that impairs their ability to carry out everyday activities, the existing banks’ timings for Ramazan should be extended to 3:30pm.
Zaki said that particularly the businesses of small traders are suffering immensely due to lack of banking facilities available during peak hours as currently banks remain open from 8am to 1:30pm only.
He suggested that bank timings should be revised and commercial banks, instead of remaining open from 8am to 1:30pm, be directed to start providing banking services from 10am to 3:30pm so that the business community, particularly small traders, could smoothly carry out their financial transactions.
“Business activities in almost all commercial markets across the city start off at 12pm whereas commercial banks wrap up banking services at 1:30pm, which leaves very little time to carry out important transactions and usually results in postponing many,” said Zaki.
KCCI president hoped that the SBP governor would consider the request.
“This decision will help in minimising the hurdles being faced by businessmen and traders,” said Zaki. “It will provide them additional two hours during peak business timing in which they can effectively carry out financial deals and other important transactions,” he added.
Published in The Express Tribune, July 8th, 2014.
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COMMENTS (4)
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Sure, let the banks stay open till late so that the traders can enjoy their post-Sehri snooze, wake up at 11, open their shop shutters at noon and visit their local bank with their fat wad of cash after 3 and a half hours. It's only fair! Heavens forbid that the poor hard-working business community be made to stay up after Fajr prayers and commence its work at such an early hour.
I think the suggestion by KCCI president is practical. I reach at Office (Bank) at 8 am and the clients start walking in after 11.00 pm. And then thay insist that they be facilitated even after the official time has passed. And they would not mind qouting the reason for getting up late in mornin, Blaming "Sehri and Ibbadat". Do we (Bankers) come from some other Planet?
@sat why not open the banks open the banks on Sundays.to accommodate business community who wake up early in the morning at 12 pm. The business community should change their timings and start their business early. The working class also want to live a life.
Any chance they could also do something about banks remaining closed on Saturdays? Why do they do that?