Fact check; Pakistan Issued New Rs. 1,000 Currency Note?

A video of a so-called new Rs. 1,000 currency note has gone viral across social media platforms in Pakistan. The note, which appears modern in design, has sparked confusion among the public. However, the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has officially declared the circulating note as fake.

The note first appeared on TikTok and quickly gained traction on platforms like Facebook, WhatsApp, and Instagram. Within just 24 hours, the video showcasing the note was viewed over 10 million times, creating widespread speculation about the launch of a redesigned currency.

Social Media User Claims to Be Designer

A user on social media claimed that he designed the new Rs. 1,000 note as a personal project in 2024. He never intended to spread misinformation. Still, many users believed it was an official release and began forwarding it without verification.

SBP’s Official Clarification

On Thursday, SBP issued a public statement addressing the viral video. The central bank clarified: “The note being shown in viral videos is not issued by the State Bank. It is fake.”

The SBP reminded citizens that any new currency note would be officially announced through proper channels.

“If we were to issue a new banknote, the information would be available on our official website, verified social media handles, and through national media,” SBP added.

The central bank urged the public to avoid spreading false information and verify such news from official sources only.

Public Alert Issued

SBP further warned the public not to engage in sharing fake content. Forwarding or creating such material without verification can lead to confusion and possibly legal consequences.

“People should be careful and avoid falling for viral social media trends involving fake currency notes,” said a senior SBP official.