The Ministry of Information and Broadcasting (MoIB) denied allegations of a purported restriction on the usage, possession, and circulation of Rs. 5000 currency notes on Thursday, after a bogus circular with the Finance Division’s letterhead went viral on social media.
According to the bogus letter, dated September 7, 2023, the mentioned currency note will be prohibited by the end of this month as part of a “significant policy change” by the government.
Ban on Rs. 5000 Note Fake News Notification
“In pursuance of sub-section (2) of Section 323 of Pakistan Penal Code (Act XLV of 1860), the Federal Government is pleased to announce a significant policy change aimed at strengthening the financial system and curbing illicit financial activities. With effect from September 30, 2023, the use, possession, and circulation of Rs 5000 currency notes will be banned throughout the country,” the content of fake notice which went viral on social media.
However, the fictitious letter further instructed residents and financial institutions to swap or deposit Rs. 5000 currency notes at recognized banks by the deadline, as they would no longer be legal tender after that.
Additionally. the government will also conduct an awareness campaign to educate individuals about the approaching shift and provide instructions on the proper procedures for exchanging or depositing Rs 5000 notes, according to the statement.
However, the notification and the reported forthcoming ban on the stated currency notes were deemed “fake news” by a fact-checking staff operating under the MoIB.
Fact Checker MoIB Denied The News
The Fact Checker MoIB tweeted the bogus notification on its official account on X — formerly known as Twitter — to emphasize that no such policy change or ban on the Rs. 5000 note exists.
Disseminating #FakeNews is not only unethical and illegal but it is also disservice to the nation. It is the responsibility of everyone to reject irresponsible behavior. Reject #FakeNews pic.twitter.com/bfrLn0b2Io
— Fact Checker MoIB (@FactCheckerMoIB) September 7, 2023
Furthermore, Murtaza Solangi, Federal Caretaker Minister for Information and Broadcasting, disputed the reports, stressing that the government would take action against those propagating such “false information.”
This is fake. The Govt of Pakistan shall act against the people spreading this kind of fake news to create chaos.
یہ جھوٹا نوٹیفکیشن ہے۔
حکومتِ پاکستان ایسے جھوٹے نوٹیفیکیشن پھیلانے والوں کیخلاف سخت کارروائی کرے گی۔
???? pic.twitter.com/9yU3DlM5UK— Murtaza Solangi (@murtazasolangi) September 7, 2023
It should be remembered that distributing fake news is a crime punishable by a Rs. 10 million fine under the Pakistan Media Regulatory Authority (Pemra) Amendment Bill, 2023.
To read our blog on “More than 6,400 websites have been blocked due to rolling out fake news,” click here.
