SBP issues guidelines for obtaining new currency notes ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr

SMS short code service 8877 is activated during second week of Ramadan to facilitate public in getting new banknotes conveniently

KARACHI: (UrduPoint/UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News-March 6th, 2026) The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has issued guidelines for citizens seeking to obtain fresh Currency notes ahead of Eid-ul-Fitr.

The central bank said that the SMS short code service 8877 is activated during the second week of Ramadan to facilitate the public in getting new banknotes conveniently.

Under the system, citizens can send an SMS from their mobile phone by typing their Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC) number, followed by a space and the code of their preferred bank branch, and sending it to 8877. In response, they will receive a unique transaction code along with the address of the designated bank branch.

After receiving the SMS confirmation, applicants must visit the assigned branch with their original CNIC and a copy.

Bank staff will verify the transaction code before issuing packets of fresh currency notes, usually in Rs10, Rs20, and Rs50 denominations.

The SBP advised that if the 8877 SMS service is busy, citizens can also directly contact their bank branches. Many commercial banks keep a limited stock of new currency notes for their account holders and distribute them on a priority basis.

In major cities such as Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad, fresh banknotes are also available at offices of the SBP Banking Services Corporation. These notes are exchanged on a first-come, first-served basis.

Additionally, during the last ten days of Ramadan, banks usually load ATMs with relatively clean Rs500 and Rs1,000 notes, which people often use for giving Eidi during Eid celebrations.