The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has decided to launch new designs of currency notes after getting approval from the federal cabinet. The question is what will be the new look of Pakistan’s new currency notes?
Launching date
Speaking to Geo News, SBP Deputy Governor Mr Saleem Ullah said the new currency notes are expected to be issued between November and December 2026, while predicting that the rollout is still some distance away.
Comparison: now vs then
At present, Pakistan’s currency notes largely feature muted colours, traditional patterns and a consistent portrait of the country’s founder, Muhammad Ali Jinnah.
Officials say the new designs will be more detailed and visually varied. They are intended to reflect Pakistan’s regional and geographical diversity, as well as key historical landmarks.
The new series will include Rs100, Rs500, Rs1,000 and Rs5,000 notes. One major change will be enhanced security threads and other anti-counterfeiting features, aimed at making the notes harder to forge. These upgrades are expected to be more advanced than those used in the current notes.
Officials have also said the artwork will introduce broader themes. These include the contribution of women to national development and the impact of climate change, marking a shift from the simpler symbolic elements seen on existing currency.
Will the old notes be used after the new currency notes?
Pakistan’s existing currency notes will remain in use for some time after newly designed banknotes are introduced. The government will not withdraw old notes immediately. Instead, a phased exchange process will be rolled out through the State Bank of Pakistan and commercial banks.
Under the plan, banks will be given a clear timeframe during which people can deposit their old notes and receive new ones. Authorities are expected to instruct banks to publicly explain how the exchange will work and how long it will remain open. The redesigned notes are likely to enter circulation at some point in 2026.
Ministry of Finance
According to the Minister of Finance, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, the redesign is meant to bring Pakistan’s banknotes in line with modern international standards. The Ministry of Finance told the cabinet that global experts have been engaged to help with the process, particularly on security features and visual design.
The federal cabinet has approved the formation of a special committee to review the proposed designs in detail before they are finalised. The designs have been referred to this committee for further consultation and deliberation.
