As Eidul Fitr 2025 approaches, demand for fresh, crisp new currency notes has gone up drastically, and individuals are seeking to disperse them as Eidi.

Particularly, parents are making extra efforts to obtain the most recent notes, aiming to bring joy to their children on this significant occasion. While markets are busy preparing for Eid, most people still prioritise obtaining new currency notes.

As per bank officials, procuring these notes is easy. Customers can approach their respective banks along with a copy of their CNIC and ask for fresh notes. If the bank maintains them in their vaults, they are provided immediately.

How the State Bank Regulates New Currency Notes

There is a widespread misconception that commercial banks ask for a certain quantity of fresh notes from the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP). Nevertheless, a bank official explained that SBP decides independently how much currency to issue and distributes the stock accordingly.

"People tend to believe that we are able to order a specific quantity of new notes, but we can't. The State Bank decides, and banks don't have any choice in the number issued. Occasionally, the SBP doesn't issue any new notes at all," a private bank customer service manager said.

Limited Supply and High Demand

Bank officials disclosed that fresh currency notes are consumed very quickly, and they tend to last only days after they reach the banks. This year, new notes were brought to the banks around the 15th of Ramadan, but the supply was soon over.

Earlier, SBP used to have a system of digital tokens where citizens used to book fresh notes through SMS and pick them up from branches designated for that purpose. Now, this is no longer functional. Customers need to go in person to commercial banks with their CNIC and get new notes.

How Much Can a Customer Get?

In order to make distribution fair, banks restrict the value of fresh money that a customer can get. In most cases, one can withdraw Rs 16,000 to Rs 18,000 in the form of Rs 10, Rs 20, Rs 50, and Rs 100 notes.

Every branch of a bank is provided with a small quantity, which includes:

8 to 10 sets of Rs 10 notes

3 to 4 sets of Rs 100 notes

1 to 2 sets of Rs 20 notes

A limited amount of Rs 50 notes

As every packet is in a bundle of 10, one branch can get 80 to 100 bundles. Due to high demand, completing customers' orders is still a serious challenge.