KARACHI: State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) through 16 field offices of its subsidiary SBP Banking Services Corporation provided fresh banknotes of various denominations of around Rs.363 billion, including Rs.53 billion fresh notes directly to the general public on the eve of Eid-ul-Fitr.

According to a SBP statement on Friday, the SMS service (8877) was operated across 132 cities through more than 1,500 commercial banks' branches and 16 field offices of SBP -BSC.

The service was used by more than 2.2 million people before Eid-ul-Fitr, a 50% increase from last year.

Besides, sufficient quantity of fresh notes of higher denominations were issued to banks for smooth operations and availability of cash in ATMs during and before the Eid holidays.

For this purpose, special teams of SBP and SBP-BSC officials were also deputed to inspect and monitor the working of ATMs across the country, which ensured uninterrupted availability of cash to the general public during the Eid holidays.