Caretaker Information Minister Murtaza Solangi on Thursday dismissed a ‘notification’ circulating online, which stated that the government had decided to ban Rs5,000 notes from September 30.
“The government shall act against the people spreading this kind of fake news to create chaos,” Solangi said on his X (formerly Twitter) handle.
The letter falsely claimed that the government was banning the use, possession, and circulation of Rs5,000 currency notes throughout the country with effect from September 30, 2023.
This is fake. The Govt of Pakistan shall act against the people spreading this kind of fake news to create chaos.
یہ جھوٹا نوٹیفکیشن ہے۔
حکومتِ پاکستان ایسے جھوٹے نوٹیفیکیشن پھیلانے والوں کیخلاف سخت کارروائی کرے گی۔
???? pic.twitter.com/9yU3DlM5UK— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 7, 2023
The ‘notification’ stated that the government had announced a “significant policy change aimed at strengthening the financial system and curbing illicit financial activities”.
“With effect from September 30, 2023, the use, possession and circulation of Rs5,000 currency notes will be banned throughout the country,” it claimed, adding that the notes would no longer be legal tender after this date.
“Citizens and financial institutions are encouraged to exchange or deposit their Rs5,000 notes at authorised banks and financial institutions until the specified deadline. After September 30, 2023, the notes will no longer be accepted at designated government offices and central banks.”
State broadcaster Radio Pakistan also shared the notification, saying that a “fake notification is circulating on social media”.
“It is the responsibility of everyone to reject the irresponsible behavior of disseminating #fakenews,” the broadcaster said.
