“Your refund will be processed in 7 to 10 business days.” “Submit within 15 working days.” Banks, government offices and companies set deadlines in business days, which exclude weekends and usually public holidays. Counting them wrong can mean a missed deadline. This guide explains business days clearly and how to calculate them with our Date Calculator (Add or Subtract Days).
What counts as a business day?
Usually Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays. Some organisations in Pakistan work on Saturdays, so check how a particular office counts. Banks generally follow the State Bank’s holiday notifications.
Adding business days
From Thursday 8 October 2026, adding 10 business days:
| Week | Business days counted |
|---|---|
| Fri 9 Oct | 1 |
| Mon 12 – Fri 16 Oct | 2–6 |
| Mon 19 – Thu 22 Oct | 7–10 |
Result: Thursday 22 October 2026, assuming no public holidays.
Counting business days between two dates
Count all days, then subtract weekends and holidays. A quick estimate is total days × 5 ÷ 7, then adjust. The Date Difference Calculator shows business days between dates.
Public holidays
Pakistan’s public holidays include fixed national days and Islamic holidays that depend on moon sighting. Check the Pakistan Public Holidays list for the year and subtract any that fall in your period. Eid holidays can add several days to a deadline.
Different countries, different weekends
Most countries use Saturday–Sunday weekends. If you deal with offices abroad, check their weekend and holiday calendar. Time zones also matter for deadlines; see the Time Zone Converter.
Practical tips
- Count from the next business day, not the day of submission, unless stated.
- Ask whether “days” means calendar days or business days.
- Allow extra time around Eid and year-end.
For adding calendar days, read how to add days to a date.
Frequently asked questions
What is a business day?
Usually any weekday, Monday to Friday, that is not a public holiday.
How many business days are in a month?
Typically about 20 to 23, depending on the month and holidays.
Are Saturdays business days in Pakistan?
For many offices no, but some businesses and institutions work on Saturdays.