The State Bank of Pakistan has announced a public holiday on the occasion of Kashmir Solidarity Day. According to an official statement issued by the central bank on Tuesday, the State Bank of Pakistan will remain closed on Thursday, February 5, 2026, in line with the announcement made by the Government of Pakistan.
The statement clarified that banking operations across the country will also remain suspended due to the holiday, resulting in the temporary halt of routine financial transactions and banking services. It further stated that all normal banking activities will resume from the next working day following the holiday.
It is pertinent to mention that the federal government had earlier announced a nationwide public holiday on February 5 to observe Kashmir Solidarity Day, and a formal notification in this regard has already been issued. The day is observed annually to express solidarity with the people of Kashmir and to reaffirm support for their right to self-determination.
Meanwhile, the Punjab government has also declared a public holiday across the province on February 6. According to provincial authorities, the holiday has been announced in connection with the Basant celebrations. Earlier, Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz stated in a post on social media platform X that the province would enjoy a long weekend, with February 5 marked as Kashmir Day, February 6 observed as a Basant holiday, followed by Saturday on February 7 and Sunday on February 8.
Previously, the Sindh government had announced a holiday in educational institutions across the province on February 4 on account of Shab-e-Barat. A notification regarding this holiday was issued on January 30, with the Sindh School Education Department confirming that educational institutions would remain closed on 15th Shaban 1447 Hijri, corresponding to February 4, 2026.
