The Ministry of Interior on Thursday issued a notification for observance of two weekly holidays at all the public and private offices with effect from Saturday (October 15).

According to the notification "the selected operational branches of the commercial banks shall, however, continue to work on Saturdays, to facilitate the corporate customers and businesses in their financial transactions."

"The Notification shall take effect from first weekend falling after the Cabinet decision i.e. 15th October, 2011."

The office timing shall be from 8am to 4pm, from Monday to Thursday, with half an hour lunch and prayer break at 1pm. On Friday the office timing shall also be from 8am to 4pm, with one and a half hour lunch and Friday Prayer break from 12.30pm to 2pm.

These timings will be observed with immediate effect, the Notification said. The Federal Cabinet in its meeting held on Wednesday decided that a five-day working week shall be observed in the country to conserve energy.