The claim that Pakistan's State Bank discontinued the 10‑rupee note and set a September 30, 2026 exchange deadline is false. A fabricated graphic imitating SBP branding circulated on social media, but the central bank made no such announcement. As of September 15, 2026, the 10‑rupee note remained listed as valid on SBP's website. Verify any currency notices only on SBP's official channels.
False Graphic Falsely Claims Pakistan's Central Bank Has Withdrawn 10‑Rupee Note — SBP Denies It
Screenshot of the false post captured on September 8, 2026, with red X added by AFP
Social media circulated a fabricated notice in early September 2026 claiming that the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) had discontinued the 10‑rupee banknote and set a September 30 deadline for exchanging the notes. The image imitated SBP branding but contained multiple design and text inconsistencies when compared with verified SBP communications.
What Happened
On September 4, 2026, a Facebook graphic in Urdu claimed: "The Government of Pakistan has decided to discontinue the 10‑rupee note" and warned that "September 30 has been set as the deadline for exchanging the notes." Similar versions of the graphic were shared on X (formerly Twitter) and other platforms.
Why It's False
Although SBP Deputy Governor Dr Inayat Hussain told the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue on August 25 that the central bank was considering the possibility of phasing out the 10‑rupee note because of rising printing costs, the SBP had not issued any formal notification to withdraw the denomination or set an exchange deadline. As of September 15, 2026, the 10‑rupee banknote remained listed as valid currency on the SBP website.
Screenshot comparison of the fabricated SBP graphic (L) and the central bank's official logo and name in Urdu, with inconsistencies highlighted in red by AFP
SBP Guidance: The central bank told AFP that genuine notifications appear only on its official website and verified social media pages; documents not posted there should be treated as unauthorised.
How the Graphic Was Identified As Fabricated
Fact‑checkers compared the circulating image with SBP's official logo and Urdu wording and found multiple inconsistencies in layout, typography and language — indicators the notice was manufactured rather than authentic. AFP also found no matching announcement on SBP platforms.
Public Reaction And Context
Posts prompted public concern about everyday transactions (for example, how shopkeepers would give small change) and revived earlier false rumours from late August that the SBP intended to stop the 10‑rupee note from September 1. AFP has previously debunked similar currency rumours, including one about a supposed ban on the 5,000‑rupee note.
How To Verify Similar Claims
Verify before you share: Check the SBP's official website or its verified social channels for any currency notices. Look for mismatched logos, unusual typography or wording, and confirm dates. If a notice is not on SBP's official channels, treat it as unverified.
In short: the circulating graphic is a fabrication. SBP discussed the possibility of changing denominations in testimony but did not issue any order to withdraw the 10‑rupee note or announce an exchange deadline.
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