State Bank rejects rumours about Rs.500 note 

KARACHI:  The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has clarified the authenticity of Rs 500 Banknotes without OVI. `Apropos the news circulating in some sections of social media regarding authenticity of Rs 500 banknotes without OVI flag, it may be recalled that the State Bank had introduced new design banknotes of Rs500 in 2006', said a statement issued here on Monday.

These banknotes carry state of the art security features,besides, change in size, design and color scheme.

Later on an other security feature, the color shifting flag made of Optical Variable Ink(OVI) was added to enhance the anti-counterfeiting resilience and ease in identification by the general public, the SBP statement added.

This, however, resulted in availability of both types of Rs 500 banknotes viz issued during 2006-2009 without OVI, and issued w.e.f January 25, 2010 with OVI feature.

`It is, therefore, clarified for benefit of all concerned that new design banknotes of Rs 500, with and without OVI flag, are genuine provided all other security features are intact.

General public is encouraged to learn more about the security features in Pakistani banknotes through section in SBP website titled `Rupay ko Pehchano'(https://www.
sbp.org.pk/finance/NotePehchano/index.asp), the statement further pointed out.

SBP also expects that general public may discard any such news appearing in social media and discourage the circulation of this unauthenticated news, the statement said.