The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) on Thursday unveiled shortlisted designs for a new series of currency notes, which will range from Rs10 to Rs5,000, and are set to be issued by this year's end.
In a press release, the central bank expressed its appreciation for the creativity displayed by local artists who participated in the competition, adding that the new designs are currently under review by international designers who will finalize the appearance of the new banknotes.
“The SBP will ensure that the new banknote series reflects our nation's rich cultural heritage and progressive vision. We hope the final designs will fully capture this collaborative effort,” stated the SBP.
The selected designs, featuring prominent figures such as Quaid-e-Azam Muhammad Ali Jinnah and Fatima Jinnah, will be refined further.
International designers will work closely with the SBP, drawing inspiration from the local submissions, though they will have the creative freedom to apply their expertise in the final execution.
The competition winners will receive cash prizes in recognition of their contributions. Details regarding the award ceremony will be shared by the SBP in due course.
Artists and prizes announced
The SBP also revealed the winners of the competition, with several artists securing top spots for their outstanding submissions. The first prize for the Rs 10 banknote design went to Dr Shery Abidi, while Mr Mirza Sufiyan was awarded second place. Other notable winners include Mr Haroon Khan for the Rs 20 note and Ms Memoona Afzal, who secured the top prize for both the Rs 100 and Rs 5,000 notes.
The following is a list of selected artists and their respective prizes:
| Sr# | Artist / Designer | Prize | Denomination | Entry Code |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Dr Shery Abidi | 1st | Rs 10 | NDB031353 |
| 2 | Mr Mirza Sufiyan | 2nd | Rs 10 | NDB030720 |
| 3 | Mr Haroon Khan | 1st | Rs 20 | NDB031108 |
| 4 | Syed Fawad Hussain | 1st | Rs 50 | NDB031393 |
| 5 | Ms Memoona Afzal | 1st, 1st | Rs 100, Rs 5000 | NDB031178 |
| 6 | Ms Hadiya Hassan | 1st | Rs 500 | NDB030815 |
| 7 | Ms Aynee Zahra | 2nd | Rs 500 | NDB031111 |
| 8 | Ms Noureen Aslam | 1st | Rs 1000 | NDB0313148 |
| 9 | Mr Karim Muhammad | 2nd | Rs 5000 | NDB031801 |
