Following an outpouring of support from federal government employees, the government has reinstated two weekly holidays for select public offices.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, according to a notification issued by the Cabinet Secretariat Establishment Division, has withdrawn his previous notification, which mandated all public offices to work six days a week, eliminating Saturday as a weekly off.
According to the new notification, offices that previously operated five days a week will now operate Monday through Friday from 8:00 a.m. to 4:00 p.m.
On Friday, there will be a two-hour extended break from 12:00 PM to 02:00 PM.
Similarly, the offices that were open six days a week will now be open from 8:00 a.m. to 3:00 p.m. Monday through Thursday and Saturday.
On Friday, offices will close at 1:00 p.m. for a half-day.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif removed Saturday as a weekly vacation and altered the office hours for all federal government departments and institutions within days after taking office.
Employees reacted angrily to the move, resulting in a series of protest marches even during Ramadan, leading the government to reverse its decision on weekly holidays.
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