In order to facilitate customers for withdrawing fresh currency notes, various branches of banks remained open during first part of the day here Saturday. Many branches of public and private banks facilitated their customers but still a large number of them were deprived of fresh bank notes.

Demand for fresh currency notes takes a surge before Eid every year. The State Bank of Pakistan has directed the managements of all banks to ensure sufficient stocks of fresh currency notes.

Long queues of customers were witnessed throughout the city but most of them preferred to rely on ATMs in and around the banks causing massive rush of citizens at the machines.

Also, sale of fresh currency notes in the black market was in full swing and the impatient ones preferred to approach the peddlers. Banks will remain closed during three public holidays of Eid.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2017