As Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 approaches, many families across Pakistan are preparing to continue the long standing tradition of giving Eidi, where elders gift money to children and relatives. Because of this tradition, the demand for fresh currency notes rises significantly every year during Ramadan.
Banks across the country typically see long queues during the last days of Ramadan as people try to secure crisp notes for the festive occasion. Although digital payments are becoming more common, the tradition of distributing physical cash remains popular.
Banks to Distribute Fresh Notes Through Thousands of Branches
To facilitate the public, the State Bank of Pakistan distributes fresh currency notes through commercial banks across the country during Ramadan. These notes are supplied to around 17,000 bank branches, allowing people to obtain clean currency for Eid celebrations.
Citizens can usually visit their bank branch with their CNIC and request fresh notes. The distribution often operates on a first come, first served basis, meaning early visitors have a better chance of obtaining new currency bundles.
Banks also allow customers to exchange their existing notes for fresh ones at a one to one exchange rate, ensuring the same value is returned in new notes.
SMS Service and Other Ways to Secure Fresh Notes
In previous years, the State Bank has also introduced an SMS based system to help people reserve fresh notes. Under this method, citizens send their CNIC number and bank branch code to 8877 and receive a confirmation message before collecting the notes from the designated bank branch.
Customers with active bank accounts sometimes receive additional assistance from their branch managers, who may allocate a small quota of fresh notes for regular customers. ATMs may also dispense clean notes shortly before the Eid holidays.
New Currency Designs Under Preparation
Meanwhile, Pakistan is preparing to introduce a new series of redesigned banknotes aimed at improving security and modernizing the financial system. The upcoming notes will feature advanced security threads, holograms, micro text and improved durability to reduce counterfeit currency.
The State Bank has finalized many of the design elements and submitted them to the federal cabinet for approval. Once approved, the notes will be printed by the Pakistan Security Printing Corporation before entering circulation.
However, experts say the redesigned notes are unlikely to be available before Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 because the printing process alone may take several months.
Current Currency Notes Remain Valid
Pakistan’s official currency is the Pakistani rupee, issued by the State Bank of Pakistan and available in several denominations ranging from Rs10 to Rs5,000.
Even when the redesigned banknotes are eventually introduced, existing notes will remain legal tender. The new series is expected to enter circulation gradually so that both old and new notes can be used simultaneously.
For now, citizens planning to distribute Eidi during Eid-ul-Fitr are advised to contact their bank branches early to secure fresh currency notes before stocks run out.
