State Bank clarifies authenticity of Rs 500 banknotes without OVI

Apropos the news circulating in some sections of social media regarding authenticity of Rs 500 banknotes without Optical Variable Ink (OVI) flag, it may be recalled that the State Bank had introduced new design banknotes of Rs 500 in 2006.
These banknotes carry state of the art security features, besides, change in size, design and colour scheme. Later on another security feature, the colour shifting flag made of Optical Variable Ink (OVI) was added to enhance the anti-counterfeiting resilience and ease in identification by the general public. 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). SBP also expects that general public may discard any such news appearing in social media and discourage the circulation of this unauthenticated news.-PR