ISLAMABAD: Pakistan may witness the circulation of new banknotes next year, it emerged on Wednesday, as the central bank is evaluating the viability of introducing plastic currency in the country.
The issue came up for discussion during a meeting of the Senate Standing Committee on Finance and Revenue, presided over by Senator Saleem Mandviwalla.
Plastic currency refers to banknotes made from polymer, a durable plastic material, instead of traditional paper. These banknotes are more resistant to wear and tear, harder to counterfeit and often include advanced security features like transparent windows and holograms.
They are used in several countries, including Australia and Canada.
“The Committee reviewed issues regarding digital and plastic currency,” said an official statement released after the meeting. “Governor State Bank Jameel Ahmed reported that new currency notes are being developed and that the life span of plastic notes is under evaluation.”
“It was briefed that State Bank will internally finalize the prerequisites of introducing new currency notes by December,” the statement added.
The top central bank official said the plastic currency would be tested and issued based on public acceptance.
He also assured that the new currency would include enhanced security features.
Pakistan plans to unveil new plastic currency notes next year
https://arab.news/859kj
Pakistan plans to unveil new plastic currency notes next year
- The top central bank official says the new currency will have enhanced security features
- The bank will test the plastic currency and begin to circulate it after public acceptance
Pakistan says it seized 32 square kilometers inside Afghanistan as border clashes escalate
- Security official describes ‘limited tactical action’ in Gudwana after Afghan assaults
- Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering militants as UN, China and Russia urge restraint
ISLAMABAD: Pakistan has seized a 32-square-kilometer area inside Afghanistan following overnight fighting, a security official said on Saturday, as cross-border clashes between the two countries escalated sharply.
A Pakistani security official, speaking on condition of anonymity, said troops carried out a “limited tactical action” in the Gudwana area opposite the Zhob sector along the frontier, capturing Afghan territory after responding to attacks on Pakistani positions.
“On the night of Feb. 26/27, posts opposite the Zhob sector launched anticipated physical attacks on multiple Pakistani positions,” the official said, referring to fighters linked to Afghanistan’s Taliban authorities, whom Islamabad identifies as Tehreek-e-Taliban Afghanistan (TTA).
“In response to aggressive unprovoked fire and physical attacks, Pakistan security forces launched a limited tactical action on the night of Feb. 27/28 in the general area of Gudwana with a view to capture TTA Tahir Post,” he continued, adding that 32 square kilometers of Afghan territory were seized.
The official said special combat teams crossed the border after preparatory bombardment, supported by intelligence, surveillance and reconnaissance assets providing “real-time battlefield awareness.”
He said 24 Afghan Taliban fighters were killed and 37 wounded, with no Pakistani casualties reported.
The claims could not be independently verified, and there was no immediate confirmation from Taliban authorities in Kabul of any territorial loss in the Gudwana area.
The latest clashes erupted after Pakistani airstrikes targeted what Islamabad described as militant hideouts inside Afghanistan over the weekend, triggering retaliatory fire along the frontier and sharply escalating long-running tensions. Islamabad accuses Kabul of sheltering Pakistani Taliban militants responsible for attacks inside Pakistan, an allegation that Afghanistan denies.
Pakistan’s Information Minister Attaullah Tarar said on Saturday evening that 352 Afghan Taliban fighters had been killed and more than 535 wounded since the latest phase of hostilities began.
Tarar said Pakistani strikes had destroyed 130 check posts, 171 tanks and armored vehicles and targeted 41 locations across Afghanistan by air. Those figures could not be independently verified.
The United Nations, as well as China and Russia, have called for restraint.
The United States said Pakistan has the right to defend itself against cross-border militancy.
