ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan has issued a comprehensive advisory ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr 2026, urging citizens to use official banking channels to obtain new currency notes and to refrain from purchasing them from black-market vendors at inflated prices.
The central bank confirmed that arrangements for the distribution of freshly printed currency notes were finalised ahead of the festive season, with Eid expected around March 20. Citizens are encouraged to submit their requests well in advance to avoid last-minute difficulties.
The SBP has outlined several official methods for the public to obtain new notes. The primary channel is the bank’s dedicated SMS service on the short code 8877, which is activated during the second week of Ramadan. Citizens are required to send their CNIC number and preferred bank branch code to 8877, after which the system generates a unique transaction code along with the address of the designated branch.
Upon visiting the specified branch, citizens must present their original CNIC and a photocopy for verification. The SBP has explicitly stated that no additional charges or service fees are applicable during this process. In addition to branch services, many commercial banks load newer denomination notes, particularly Rs500 and Rs1,000 bills, into ATMs during the final ten days of Ramadan. SBP Banking Services Corporation offices in major cities, including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, also distribute new notes on a first-come, first-served basis.
Despite the availability of official channels, a segment of the public continues to turn to open-market vendors for convenience or due to limited bank quotas. Authorities have flagged that traders are selling new notes at significantly inflated premiums and have called upon citizens to report such illegal activity to the relevant authorities.
The SBP has reaffirmed its commitment to ensuring smooth and equitable access to new currency notes for all citizens during the Eid festivities.
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