In September 2020, the State Bank of Pakistan launched a financial product that asked overseas Pakistanis to do something the country had never seriously asked them to do before — invest directly, online, in Pakistani rupees and Pakistani assets without ever stepping inside a bank branch. Five years later, the Roshan Digital Account has pulled in more than USD 9 billion in cumulative deposits and reshaped how the diaspora sends money home.
The numbers matter because workers’ remittances have long been Pakistan’s most stable foreign-exchange lifeline — USD 30+ billion in 2024–25 alone. RDA’s pitch is that the same diaspora that wires money to family every month can also park savings, buy government certificates, invest in real estate and even trade stocks, all from a smartphone.
What Is the Roshan Digital Account and How Does It Work?
The Roshan Digital Account is a fully digital, single-window banking facility designed for Non-Resident Pakistanis and Pakistan-Origin Card holders. Onboarding takes place entirely online — no in-person verification, no embassy visits, and no Pakistani address required. A valid NICOP, POC or CNIC plus a proof-of-residence document abroad is enough to open one in roughly 48 hours.
Once approved, the account holder can hold balances in PKR, USD, GBP, EUR and a handful of other major currencies. Transfers between RDA and the holder’s home-country bank account are free, and there are no minimum balance requirements. The State Bank of Pakistan supervises the entire scheme through more than 25 participating commercial and Islamic banks.
Who Can Open a Roshan Digital Account?
Any Pakistani citizen residing abroad can open a Roshan Digital Account, provided they hold a valid CNIC, NICOP or POC. The product is also open to foreign nationals with Pakistani origin (POC holders) and to resident Pakistanis who already maintain declared income outside the country.
The geographical reach is one of RDA’s most underrated strengths. Pakistanis in over 175 countries — from the United States, United Kingdom and Saudi Arabia to Australia, Japan and several African states — have successfully opened accounts. Many participating banks, including HBL, MCB, UBL, Meezan Bank and Bank Alfalah, now run dedicated RDA helplines in multiple languages.
Documents You Need
Most applicants submit three documents online: a valid Pakistani identity card, a passport, and a residence proof such as a utility bill or driving licence from their country of residence. Banks may request additional employment or income verification depending on the volume of expected transactions.
Naya Pakistan Certificates: The Headline Investment Product
The single most popular product inside the RDA wrapper is the Naya Pakistan Certificate (NPC). Issued by the Government of Pakistan, NPCs are sovereign-backed savings instruments that pay fixed returns on three-month, six-month, twelve-month, three-year and five-year tenors.
Indicative annual returns range from roughly 6–7 percent on USD-denominated NPCs to 13–18 percent on PKR-denominated NPCs, depending on the tenor and market conditions. Both conventional and Islamic versions exist — the Islamic variant is structured as a Sukuk-style instrument compliant with Shariah principles, designed for diaspora investors who prefer Riba-free options.
Beyond Savings: Real Estate, Equities and Charity Through RDA
Roshan Apna Ghar lets RDA holders book and pay for real-estate purchases in Pakistan from abroad, with developer-side documentation handled digitally. Roshan Samaaji Khidmat enables direct donations to government welfare initiatives like the Prime Minister’s Flood Relief Fund or the Diamer-Bhasha Dam project.
The product that most surprises new account holders is Roshan Equity Investment. Through this facility, an overseas Pakistani in London or Toronto can buy and sell shares on the Pakistan Stock Exchange in near-real time. For deeper context on how the local market works, see our Pakistan Stock Exchange beginner’s guide.
Is the Roshan Digital Account Safe for Overseas Pakistanis?
The Roshan Digital Account is broadly considered safe because it sits inside the regulated commercial banking system and is supervised directly by the State Bank of Pakistan. Customer deposits are held in segregated bank accounts protected under standard SBP prudential regulations, and government-issued products like Naya Pakistan Certificates carry a sovereign guarantee.
The main risks are macroeconomic rather than operational — PKR depreciation can erode rupee-denominated returns, and inflation has been a persistent issue. Many diaspora investors mitigate this by holding USD-denominated NPCs or splitting balances across currencies. Funds inside an RDA can be repatriated back to the home-country bank account without prior State Bank approval at any time.
What Roshan Digital Account Numbers Reveal About Diaspora Confidence
The simplest read of RDA’s success is what it says about how overseas Pakistanis view their home market. By 2025, more than 700,000 accounts had been opened, with average balances suggesting that a meaningful share of holders are using the product for genuine investment rather than just transfers.
The breakdown of inflows also tells a story. Saudi Arabia, the United Arab Emirates, the United States and the United Kingdom together account for the bulk of RDA volume, mirroring the wider geography of Pakistani migration. Newer growth markets include Australia, Canada and Malaysia, where younger Pakistani professionals are opening accounts as part of a broader portfolio strategy.
Key Takeaways
- RDA launched September 2020 and has crossed USD 9 billion in cumulative inflows.
- Naya Pakistan Certificates are the flagship product, with both conventional and Islamic Sukuk-style variants.
- 700,000+ accounts have been opened by Pakistanis across more than 175 countries.
- Roshan Apna Ghar, Roshan Equity Investment and Roshan Samaaji Khidmat extend the account into real estate, stocks and charitable giving.
- PKR depreciation remains the main risk for rupee-denominated investments — USD options exist for those who prefer dollar exposure.
Have you opened a Roshan Digital Account — or is something holding you back from doing so? Tell us your experience in the comments.
