Cheques remain widely used in Pakistan for rent payments, business transactions, salary disbursements, property deals, and official payments. Banks in Pakistan are strict about cheque format — a mismatch between the numeric amount and the written amount, or incorrect formatting of the words, can result in the cheque being dishonored (bounced). This guide shows you exactly how to write any amount correctly.
The standard Pakistani cheque format
Pakistani bank cheques follow this format for the amount in words line:
[Amount in words] Rupees Only
Key rules:
- Use lakh and crore for large amounts — not million and billion
- Always end with "Rupees Only" — the word "Only" is mandatory and prevents tampering
- Capitalize the first letter: "Five" not "five"
- Draw a horizontal line after the amount to fill remaining space
- The numeric amount in the box must match the written amount exactly
Examples: Common Pakistani cheque amounts in words
| Amount (PKR) | Written in words |
|---|---|
| 500 | Five Hundred Rupees Only |
| 1,000 | One Thousand Rupees Only |
| 5,000 | Five Thousand Rupees Only |
| 10,000 | Ten Thousand Rupees Only |
| 25,000 | Twenty-Five Thousand Rupees Only |
| 50,000 | Fifty Thousand Rupees Only |
| 1,00,000 | One Lakh Rupees Only |
| 1,50,000 | One Lakh Fifty Thousand Rupees Only |
| 2,50,000 | Two Lakh Fifty Thousand Rupees Only |
| 5,00,000 | Five Lakh Rupees Only |
| 10,00,000 | Ten Lakh Rupees Only |
| 25,75,000 | Twenty-Five Lakh Seventy-Five Thousand Rupees Only |
| 1,00,00,000 | One Crore Rupees Only |
| 2,50,00,000 | Two Crore Fifty Lakh Rupees Only |
| 5,00,00,000 | Five Crore Rupees Only |
Amounts with paisa (cents)
When the amount includes paisa (fractions of a rupee), write it as:
[Rupee amount] Rupees and [Paisa amount] Paisa Only
- PKR 1,500.50 → One Thousand Five Hundred Rupees and Fifty Paisa Only
- PKR 25,000.75 → Twenty-Five Thousand Rupees and Seventy-Five Paisa Only
- PKR 10,000.25 → Ten Thousand Rupees and Twenty-Five Paisa Only
In practice, most Pakistani cheques are for round rupee amounts (no paisa), so the "and [X] Paisa" part is rarely needed.
Step-by-step: How to write a Pakistani cheque
- Date — Write the current date in DD-MM-YYYY or DD/Month/YYYY format. Example: 15-01-2025 or 15 January 2025
- Pay to — Write the full name of the person or organization. Use their legal name as it appears on their bank account
- Amount box (right side) — Write the numeric amount: 50,000/- or Rs. 50,000/-. The /- symbol prevents additions after the number
- Amount in words (long line) — Write: "Fifty Thousand Rupees Only ————————————"
- Memo — Optional but recommended. Write the purpose: "For rent January 2025" or "Invoice #1234"
- Signature — Sign with your usual signature matching your bank specimen signature
Most common mistakes on Pakistani cheques
| Mistake | Consequence | Correct approach |
|---|---|---|
| Numeric and written amounts don't match | Cheque bounced/dishonored | Double-check both amounts before signing |
| Missing "Only" at the end | Bank may refuse or flag it | Always write "Rupees Only" at the end |
| Using "million" instead of lakh/crore | Confusing for bank staff, may be rejected | Always use Pakistani number format: lakh, crore |
| Overwriting or crossing out amounts | Cheque rejected — alterations not accepted | Write a fresh cheque if you make an error |
| Leaving space before/after amount | Risk of tampering | Start writing immediately after "Rs." or "PKR", draw line to end |
| Signature doesn't match bank record | Cheque rejected as potential fraud | Sign consistently, request bank to update specimen if changed |
| Post-dated cheque presented early | Bank may refuse | Inform payee of the date — some banks honor early, some don't |
Crossed vs open cheques in Pakistan
- Open cheque — Can be cashed over the counter by anyone presenting it
- Crossed cheque (A/C Payee Only) — Draw two parallel lines and write "A/C Payee Only" between them. This means the cheque can only be deposited into the named payee's bank account — it cannot be cashed over the counter. This is the safest option for large amounts
- Bearer cheque — Has no specific payee or "Pay to Bearer" written. Anyone presenting it can cash it. Avoid for large amounts
For most Pakistani business and personal transactions, an A/C Payee Only crossed cheque is recommended for security.
Bank-specific rules
While the core format is standardized, some Pakistani banks have additional preferences:
- HBL, MCB, UBL — Strictly require "Only" at the end
- Pakistani banks generally — require the written amount to match the numeric amount exactly; in case of conflict, the written amount is typically treated as authoritative (verify with your specific bank)
- Most Pakistani banks — will not accept cheques with white-out or corrections on amount fields. Void the cheque and write a fresh one; policies on corrections vary by bank
Get the exact cheque wording for any amount
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What to do if a cheque bounces
In Pakistan, bouncing a cheque is a criminal offense under Section 489-F of the Pakistan Penal Code. The payee can file a complaint with police, and the issuer can face imprisonment of up to 3 years, a fine, or both. Always ensure sufficient funds in your account before issuing a cheque, and never issue cheques you cannot honor.