Fake News Alert: Pakistani Government Refutes Rs5,000 Currency Note Ban Claims

On Thursday, Interim Information Minister Murtaza Solangi refuted the authenticity of a ‘notification’ making rounds on social media. This falsely indicated that the government had banned Rs5,000 currency notes, labelling it as “fake news”.

This clarification came in light of the widespread sharing of a fictitious notification from the Finance Division, which mentioned a “major policy shift aimed at consolidating the financial framework and combating unlawful financial transactions”. According to this false alert, starting September 30, 2023, Rs5,000 notes would cease to be legal tender nationwide, urging individuals and financial entities to exchange or deposit these notes at recognized banks and financial institutions before the deadline.

Solangi, in a message shared on platform X, denounced the fake notification, affirming that the Pakistani government will take action against those circulating such misinformation to sow discord. This sentiment was echoed by Radio Pakistan, which urged the public to dismiss the “irresponsible act of spreading #fakenews”. The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting’s fact-checking account on the same platform condemned the distribution of fake news, stating it as “unethical and illegal” but a betrayal to the nation, urging everyone to steer clear of propagating fake news.