The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has introduced the Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme, giving eligible beneficiaries receiving overseas remittances through bank accounts an opportunity to win cash prizes of up to Rs100 million. The scheme has been designed to encourage overseas Pakistanis and their beneficiaries to use formal banking channels for receiving home remittances, with a total annual prize pool of Rs16 billion.
Under the scheme, 2,521 cash prizes worth a combined Rs4 billion will be distributed during each quarterly draw. Beneficiaries can qualify by receiving overseas remittances equivalent to at least $100 every month for three consecutive months within a quarter. The qualifying remittances must be received in a bank account through formal banking channels. For the first draw, for example, beneficiaries must receive at least $100 in each of October, November and December 2026 to meet the three-month consecutive remittance requirement.
Eligible beneficiaries will receive digital and non-transferable entry numbers based on the amount of remittance received each month. A remittance of $100 in a qualifying month generates one entry number, while higher amounts generate additional entries in proportion to the amount received. This means beneficiaries can increase their number of entries by receiving larger qualifying remittances, provided they continue to meet the required three-month condition.
The scheme provides an example in which a beneficiary receives $100 in October, $200 in November and $300 in December. These monthly amounts would generate one, two and three entry numbers respectively, giving the beneficiary six entries in total for the quarterly draw. The digital entry mechanism is intended to link participation directly with the amount of qualifying remittances received through bank accounts.
Each quarterly draw will distribute prizes across four categories. The first-prize winner will receive Rs100 million, while 20 second-prize winners will receive Rs25 million each. Another 100 beneficiaries will receive Rs10 million each as third prizes, while 2,400 beneficiaries will receive Rs1 million each as fourth prizes. The quarterly distribution will therefore comprise 2,521 prizes with a combined value of Rs4 billion.
The Rs1 million prize category alone will provide awards to 2,400 beneficiaries in every quarterly draw. Across four quarterly draws in a year, this represents 9,600 beneficiaries receiving Rs1 million each. Overall, more than 10,000 beneficiaries are expected to receive prizes annually under the scheme, with the total value of all prizes reaching Rs16 billion.
The first quarterly draw is scheduled for January 15, 2027, and will cover qualifying remittances received between October 1 and December 31, 2026. Subsequent draws will take place every quarter through a digital and auditable process. Results will be published on the scheme’s dedicated webpage, as well as through the official websites and social media channels of participating banks and the Pakistan Banks Association.
The scheme also allocates quarterly prizes according to major remittance regions. The Gulf Cooperation Council region accounts for 50% of the prizes, while the United Kingdom and Europe each account for 15%. North America represents 10%, with the remaining 10% allocated to other countries. The Rs100 million first prize, however, will remain open to eligible beneficiaries receiving remittances from all covered regions.
Participation in the Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme is free. Eligible beneficiaries are not required to pay an entry fee, purchase a ticket, maintain a minimum account balance or make any other payment to participate. To remain eligible, beneficiaries need to ensure that qualifying overseas remittances of at least $100 are received through a bank account in three consecutive months within the relevant quarterly period. The scheme therefore combines a digital prize mechanism with the requirement that remittances be channelled through formal banking accounts.
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