SBP relaunches SMS service to get fresh currency notes

ISLAMABAD: The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has announced to relaunch SMS service for issuance of fresh currency notes to the general public for the occasion of Eid.

In a press release, the central bank said that the booking of the service has commenced from May 19, 2019, while the issuance of fresh currency through mobile SMS service will start from May 20 and continue till May 31, 2019.

The service will be provided through 1702 e-branches & 16 SBP BSC offices in 142 cities across Pakistan to ensure maximum geographical coverage.

The charges for the service are Rs1.50/- plus tax, per SMS, and the branch IDs of designated e-branches are available at SBP website https://www.sbp.org.pk.

“A person may send an SMS message comprising his/her 13 digits CNIC/Smart card number along with the desired e-branch ID [e.g. 32453-3454432-1(space)KHI001] to short code 8877. In return, the person will receive an SMS containing redemption code, e-branch address and the code validity period,” said the press release.

Redemption code received by the customer will be valid for two (02) working days as per the mentioned dates in the SMS. The customer may then approach the concerned e-branch along with his/her original CNIC/Smart card, a photocopy of the CNIC/Smart card and transaction code received from 8877 to obtain fresh currency notes.

The helpdesk facility will only be available during office hours.