State Bank of Pakistan in collaboration with Pakistan Banks' Association (PBA) has introduced an SMS service for issuance of fresh currency notes to the general public. The move is aimed at further facilitating the general public in acquiring fresh currency notes on the eve of forthcoming Eid-ul-Fitr.
These fresh notes will be available from nominated commercial bank branches called "e-branches". The issuance to the general public through Mobile SMS service will commence from July 8, 2015.
Under this facility, a person will be required to send an SMS message comprising his/her CNIC/Smart Card number along with desired bank branch code [eg CNIC Number (space) branch code] to 8877. The branch reference codes of nominated e-branches are available at SBP website www.sbp.org.pk and PBA website www.pakistanbanks.org In return, the person will get SMS containing his transaction code, branch address and transaction validity date. This transaction code will be valid for a maximum of two working days. The person will approach concerned bank branch along with his original CNIC/Smart Card and short code received from 8877 and get the defined quota of fresh notes.
It may be mentioned here that the quota of fresh notes to be issued comprises of one packet each of Rs 10/-, Rs 20/-, Rs 50/- with an optional packet of Rs 100/- as per availability of stock with the concerned branch. It is also notified that a person can get fresh notes quota only once from his mobile phone number using his CNIC/Smart card number during the whole of Ramazan, 2015. The charges for these services are Rs. 2/- plus tax, therefore, people are advised to avail the facility only once since additional SMS will only add to their cost. This process is started on experimental basis for obtaining fresh currency notes and depending upon its success, it will be expanded to more cities. For any complaint, the general public may call at SBP helpline at 021-3245-5470 and 021-3245-5125.-PR