The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has categorically rejected reports claiming that currency notes with pen markings or handwriting will no longer be accepted as legal tender from July 1, 2025.
SBP Chief Spokesperson Noor Ahmed told Express Tribune on Thursday that reports of any notificiation being issued in this regard are baseless.
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The clarification followed widely circulated social media posts and reports featuring a fake notification that claimed that any currency note bearing pen marks or handwriting would no longer be considered legal tender after July 1, 2025.
Earlier in September 2014, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had advised the public, to refrain from writing political slogans on currency notes, warning that banks would not accept such defaced notes.
The announcement had come in response to Pakistan Awami Tehreek (PAT) leader Tahirul Qadri’s call for citizens to circulate currency bearing the slogan “Go Nawaz Go.”
The SBP had stated that defacing currency is illegal and stated that anyone who suffers a financial loss due to marked notes will be solely responsible.
The SBP had also issued directives to banks for closely monitoring political slogans on currency notes and instructed them not accept it if any such statement was found.
Noor Ahmed, however, has reiteraed that currency notes are a national asset and should be protected.
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