The State Bank of Pakistan has directed commercial banks and NBP branches handling customs collections to extend branch opening hours from June 27 to June 30 to facilitate payment of government duties and taxes through over-the-counter channels and alternate delivery channels. The move was made at the request of the Federal Board of Revenue and covers both branch-based payments and digital payment access. All Saturday-opening branches of commercial banks and NBP branches handling customs collections are to remain open from 9:00 a.m. to 5:00 p.m. on June 27. All commercial bank branches and NBP branches handling customs collections must then stay open until 8:00 p.m. on June 29 and until 10:00 p.m. on June 30, while NBP branches handling customs collections must remain open until 11:59 p.m. on June 30. Banks were also told to keep relevant branches open as long as needed for NIFT special clearing of government transactions and to ensure uninterrupted availability of internet banking, mobile banking applications, ATMs and other digital platforms for online tax and duty payments.