The Punjab Government Notification for Office Hours during Ramadan 2025 The move, issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD), aims to balance the needs of fasting government employees while ensuring continuity and efficiency of public services. These updated office hours, which come into effect from the beginning of Ramadan, will be in effect throughout the month.
The decision to adjust office timings for the holy month of Ramzan has been a long-standing tradition in many Muslim-majority regions, reflecting the cultural and religious sensitivities associated with fasting. The new schedule will not only make it easier for employees to observe their fasts, but also take into account the need for governmental functions to remain intact during this significant period.
Details of the New Office Timings for Ramzan 2025
For Offices Operating on a 5-Day Workweek
Government offices in Punjab that operate five days a week, from Monday to Friday, will follow these revised timings:
- Monday to Thursday: 9:00 AM to 3:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
This adjustment, particularly the shortened Friday hours, aims to allow government employees time to attend Jumu’ah (Friday prayers), which is a key religious practice in the Islamic faith. By reducing the hours on Fridays, the government ensures that employees have sufficient time to prepare for and attend prayers, without causing disruption to work schedules.
For Offices Operating on a 6-Day Workweek
Departments and offices that function six days a week, including Saturdays, will observe the following revised timings:
- Monday to Thursday & Saturday: 9:00 AM to 2:00 PM
- Friday: 9:00 AM to 12:30 PM
Again, the shortened Friday schedule accommodates the religious obligations of Jumu’ah prayers. The change in working hours on Saturdays ensures that essential government services continue to function, albeit for a slightly shorter duration.
Who Will Follow These New Office Hours?
The notification issued by the Services and General Administration Department (S&GAD) has been circulated to a wide range of government officials and departments to ensure compliance with the revised office timings. Among those who are required to adhere to these new hours are:
- Principal Secretaries to the Governor and Chief Minister of Punjab: These key officials will oversee the implementation of the revised timings at the highest level of government.
- Senior Member Board of Revenue, Punjab: The Revenue Board plays a significant role in the administration and governance of the province, ensuring the smooth flow of administrative and legal processes. This department will also implement the new schedule.
- Inspector General of Police, Punjab: The police department is crucial to the maintenance of law and order in the province. While the police are typically on duty around the clock, this directive will likely apply to administrative and support staff in the police department.
- Planning & Development Board Chairman: As a key department responsible for overseeing development projects, the Planning & Development Board will also adhere to the revised office hours.
- Punjab Information Technology Board (PITB): With increasing reliance on digital services, the PITB’s role in ensuring the smooth functioning of technology systems in government departments is vital.
- Administrative Secretaries and Heads of Various Departments: These officials will oversee the implementation of the revised timings in their respective departments, ensuring the smooth running of public services.
- Commissioners and Deputy Commissioners: As local government officials, these individuals play an essential role in implementing the new timings across the province, ensuring that citizens continue to receive essential services.
- Lahore High Court and Punjab Service Tribunal: These judicial bodies, while maintaining a separate schedule, are also expected to adjust their office hours accordingly, facilitating a balance between legal proceedings and religious observances.
The notification also directs the Director General of Public Relations, Punjab to ensure that the new office timings are widely publicized through both electronic and print media. This will ensure that the general public is well-informed about the adjusted office hours, minimizing any inconvenience they may face in accessing government services during Ramzan.
Conclusion
The Punjab Government’s announcement regarding office timings during Ramzan 2025 showcases its commitment to accommodating the religious practices of its employees while ensuring the continuity of efficient public service. By adjusting office hours for both five-day and six-day workweek departments, the government has struck a balance between maintaining operational efficiency and respecting the cultural and spiritual needs of its workforce. This decision will not only help employees manage their fasting more comfortably but also ensure that the essential services provided by the government continue to operate smoothly throughout the holy month.