Roshan Digital Accounts (RDA), a flagship initiative by the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) in partnership with commercial banks, recorded total inflows of $216 million during January 2026, raising cumulative inflows to $11.923 billion. The January inflows marked a modest increase of $3 million compared to December 2025, reflecting steady participation from Non-Resident Pakistanis (NRPs) in banking and investment activities within the country.
According to SBP data, the amount repatriated and locally utilized during January reached $144 million, resulting in a net increase in the Net Repatriable Liability (NRL) of $72 million for the month. Of the repatriated and utilized funds, $22 million were repatriated abroad while $123 million were deployed for local investments and expenses. Cumulatively, total repatriation and local utilization stand at $9.62 billion, of which $1.965 billion has been repatriated overseas and $7.655 billion utilized domestically. This positions the NRL at $2.303 billion, representing 19.32% of total RDA balances.
A detailed breakdown of the NRL indicates $499 million invested in Conventional Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPC), $1.024 billion in Islamic NPCs, $106 million in equity investments, account balances of $543 million, and other liabilities totaling $59 million. In the current financial year, inflows into RDA have reached $1.36 billion, compared to $1.309 billion during the same period last year. Similarly, total repatriation and local utilization for this period amounted to $1.047 billion, up from $940 million in the corresponding period of the previous year.
The month of January also saw significant growth in account openings, with 8,634 new RDAs added, taking the total number of accounts to 901,764. Historical data reflects that the highest monthly inflow was recorded in June 2021, at $310 million, while the highest monthly repatriation and local utilization occurred in July 2022, when the RDA NRL declined by $330 million.
RDAs provide NRPs and Pakistan Origin Card (POC) holders with innovative and fully digital banking solutions, enabling seamless banking, payment, and investment activities in Pakistan without the need to visit banks, embassies, or consulates. The account opening process is designed to be quick and efficient, requiring only basic documentation, with banks mandated to complete customer due diligence within 48 hours. This digital approach has enhanced accessibility and encouraged wider participation from overseas Pakistanis.
The success of RDAs highlights the growing role of digital financial solutions in engaging the diaspora and channeling foreign inflows into Pakistan’s economy. By offering easy access to investment instruments, secure banking services, and repatriation options, the program strengthens economic linkages and supports financial inclusion among non-resident citizens.
The SBP continues to monitor RDA performance and expand its offerings, ensuring that overseas Pakistanis can participate in the domestic economy through secure, innovative, and fully digital banking channels. This initiative underscores Pakistan’s commitment to leveraging technology to connect its diaspora with domestic financial opportunities and investment growth.
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