The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has dismissed claims circulating online regarding the alleged suspension of fresh currency notes for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, clarifying that the central bank has not issued any such notice. The clarification came after a widely shared message on social media suggested that the SBP had decided not to provide new banknotes during the upcoming Eid season.
In a statement shared with ProPakistani, an SBP representative confirmed that the institution had not released any official notification related to the non-availability of fresh currency notes for Eid-ul-Fitr. The spokesperson emphasized that any such claim being circulated online does not originate from the central bank.
According to the SBP official, if the bank had decided to introduce a policy regarding the distribution or non-distribution of new currency notes, it would have been communicated through a formal press release. The representative explained that official press statements are the only recognized channel through which the State Bank communicates announcements to the public and mainstream media.
The spokesperson further explained that the central bank does not issue public notifications through informal letters, forwarded messages, or SMS alerts. As a result, any document or message claiming to represent an official SBP decision must be verified through the bank’s authorized communication platforms before being treated as legitimate.
The clarification follows the rapid spread of a letter on social media platforms that was presented as an official notification from the State Bank. The document claimed that the central bank would not issue fresh currency notes for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 and that the SMS-based system used in previous years to distribute new notes would also not be operational.
The same viral message also suggested that citizens should rely on digital payment methods instead of expecting newly issued banknotes for Eid transactions. Such claims quickly attracted attention online, prompting confusion among many users who traditionally exchange fresh currency notes during the Eid festivities.
However, the SBP representative rejected the contents of the circulating notice, confirming that the message was not authentic and did not reflect any policy decision by the central bank. The official also clarified that the bank has not introduced any plan to replace the traditional distribution of fresh notes with digital payment alternatives for the upcoming Eid celebrations.
Fresh currency notes have long been a cultural tradition during Eid-ul-Fitr in Pakistan, with many citizens distributing crisp banknotes among children and family members as part of the festive celebrations. In previous years, the SBP had facilitated the availability of fresh notes through commercial banks and special SMS registration services that allowed citizens to collect limited amounts of new currency from designated branches.
Given the popularity of the practice, any potential changes to the policy often generate widespread public interest. This has also made the subject vulnerable to misinformation, particularly when unofficial messages appear to resemble formal government communication.
The SBP has therefore advised the public to rely only on verified information issued through its official communication channels. The central bank reiterated that authentic announcements related to currency distribution, banking services, or financial policies are always released through official press statements and published via recognized platforms.
Authorities have urged citizens to remain cautious about forwarding or acting on unverified content circulating online. The bank emphasized that misleading messages can create unnecessary confusion and should be ignored unless they are confirmed through official sources.
The clarification aims to prevent the spread of misinformation while reassuring the public that any genuine updates regarding Eid-related banking services will be communicated transparently through the State Bank’s established communication framework.
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