ISLAMABAD: The process of issuing new currency notes for Eid-ul-Fitr 2026 has begun in Pakistan. As Ramadan approaches, like every year, citizens are facing difficulties in finding notes this year too.

According to experts, the best way is for citizens to use official and formal sources for this work, so that they do not have to buy notes from the black market at high prices.

How to get new notes

Through this service, you write your CNIC number and the code of the desired bank branch and send it to 8877. After some time, you will receive a unique transaction code and branch address through SMS.

Take the original CNIC and its copy with the code to the branch. The bank staff will give you a quota of new currency notes after checking your code. Usually, each customer is given a packet of 10, 20 and 50 rupees.

If the SMS service is busy, contact your local bank branch. Most banks give priority to their existing customers for new notes. It is recommended to contact in early March.

The SBP Bank Services Corporation offices in big cities like Karachi, Lahore or Islamabad have a large stock of new notes. The process of giving notes here is on a “first come, first served” basis.

Banks often fill ATM machines with new and better notes during the last ten days of Ramadan. Although these are high-denomination notes, they are suitable as Eid gifts for the elderly.