In deciding to seek public opinion on the design of the new currency notes Pakistan’s central bank has opened Pandora’s box. And Pakistanis are letting their creative juices flow, putting all kinds of faces on the sovereign —from Imran Khan and Babar Azam to internet sensation Dua.
The State Bank of Pakistan has introduced a competition where artists and common people can share their designs for the new currency and social media cannot keep calm.
X is flooded with quirky designs, and it is not just all laughs. While people have showered a lot of love on their favourite celebrities using the sovereign currency as their canvas, many have also questioned the move.
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Former PM and ‘foreign influences’
While celebrities such as Rahat Fateh Ali Khan, Mahira Khan, and star cricketer Babar Azam have been featured in Pakistanis’ designs, a cute addition has been made to the list—‘Dua’.
My submission!
Make it official https://t.co/ggrTFS3rFr pic.twitter.com/tjYiFmNTWa
— Abubakar Javed (@Kakarot_0007) January 31, 2024
Dua is Pakistan’s favourite internet child who appears @arshadreels videos on Instagram. Even Pakistani newspaper Dawn has endorsed the proposition, dubbing her an “icon”.
‘Submissions’ also include images of former Pakistan PM Imran Khan.
— Haroon Adil (@HaroonAdil20) January 31, 2024
One user has gone to the extent of creating an image caricature that is a mix of Imran Khan and Pakistan’s founder—Mohammad Ali Jinnah.
THIS OR NOTHING pic.twitter.com/HAGk81eBZ7
— Gull🦋✨ (@asmagull0) February 1, 2024
Users have also put Donald Lu’s image on their version of the Pakistani currency. Donald Lu is an American diplomat currently serving as the Assistant Secretary of State for South and Central Asian Affairs. Lu and the USA have been accused by Imran Khan of being the ‘foreign influence’ that took his PTI government down.
Also Read: ‘Vote for Imran, ban others’—Singers, rappers, supporters decry Ex-PM’s 14-year jail sentence
‘Use polymer, not paper notes’
A common request on X (ban on using netizens) has been to use polymer or plastic notes instead of paper ones. “Copy Australian currency! Plastic and washable or Malaysian,” a user said.
Australia was the first country to move towards polymer notes but as of 2024, more than 45 countries have followed suit. While the initial cost of bringing in polymer notes is higher, it is more durable in the long run and better for those with different kinds of visual impairment.
In a press release, the SBP states how it is a usual practice to change currency notes every 15-20 years to align them with the latest technological and security features. Jamil Ahmed, the governor of the State Bank of Pakistan told the press that the new notes will be of “different colours, distinct serial numbers and a design that will include high-security features.”
Khurram Schehzad, CEO of the Alpha Beta Core financial advisory firm told Geo TV, that bringing in new currency will only address the issue of black money if the amount of higher denomination currencies is reduced.
SBP officials have also told the press that awareness drives are underway to help the public recognise true currency. The bank will ensure an adequate supply of notes in the market, they said.
The notes will be introduced within the next two years. The older notes still in circulation will gradually be phased out, the SBP said. The State Bank hopes to end the design competition in March and award three winners with cash prizes.
(Edited by Theres Sudeep)