, Feb. 19 -- Revised office hours for government offices, banks and financial institutions came into effect on Thursday as the holy month of Ramadan began.

According to a notification issued by the Ministry of Public Administration, all government, semi-government, autonomous and semi-autonomous offices will operate from 9:00 am to 3:30 pm during Ramadan.

A break for Zuhr prayers will be observed from 1:00 pm to 1:15 pm.

The notification said banks, insurance companies, other financial institutions, postal services, railways, hospitals, state-owned industrial establishments, factories and other emergency service providers will determine and follow their own office schedules in line with their respective laws and regulations, considerin...