January 21, 2007	Sunday	Muharram 01, 1428

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LARKANA, Jan 20: A survey revealed on Saturday that fake currency notes of different denominations — mostly old Rs500 notes — were in wide circulation in the city. Dawn obtained a sizable number of fake notes from different people during the survey and noted that the fake currency came mostly in old notes of Rs500 denomination, Rs1000 and Rs100.

Mohammed Ali Memon, a medical store owner, said that some costumers gave him two Rs500 notes which he disposed of later in the market.

Abdul Hameed Shaikh, owner of a general store at Pakistan Chowk, said that he noticed fake notes’ circulation two months ago and on Friday he recognised two such notes among the bill of one of his friends who had obtained them from somebody else.

Owner of another general store in Reshamgali who handed this scribe three fake notes of Rs500 and Rs100 said that he was cheated by some costumers in rush hours especially during Eid days.

Shakeel Shaikh, proprietor of a garment shop in Reshamgali, had four fake notes of Rs500 denomination, two with serial numbers EB1091534, EB1091535 and two carrying the same serial number of EB1091536. Mohammed Aslam Shaikh, former president of Larkana Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) who runs Saleem Electronics Shop showed a fake note of Rs1000 and said that he earlier had torn up two fake notes of Rs500 denomination.

Owner of R. K. Autos who had a fake note of Rs500 said that the note came to him accidentally through an autos agent when he asked for preparing a demand draft.

Aslam Mirani, a policeman, said that he, too, received a fake note of Rs500 in his salary but disposed it of at a petrol pump.

Tarique Bhatti, a public prosecutor, said that he and his brother Amir Bhatti were also cheated when someone handed them Rs500 fake notes on different occasions.

LCCI President Mohammed Ali Shaikh demanded urgent action by the State Bank of Pakistan against the fake currency and said that their circulation was on the rise in the city.

A banker, too, admitted on condition of anonymity that he had heard about Rs500 fake notes. Saeed Memon, Dawn photographer in Larkana had also received a Rs500 fake note.