In a strategic move to integrate Pakistan more closely with global financial markets, the government has officially decided to expand the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) framework. This expansion now allows foreign nationals, international companies, and institutional investors to open accounts and invest directly in government securities and Naya Pakistan Certificates. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue, Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, announced the decision following directives from Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, emphasizing the goal of attracting foreign capital through a secure, transparent, and fully digital banking platform.
The finance minister highlighted the overwhelming success of the RDA initiative since its inception by the State Bank of Pakistan in September 2020. Originally designed to connect non-resident Pakistanis with the domestic banking ecosystem, the platform has seen over 900,000 accounts opened to date. By the end of February 2026, total inflows through the RDA reached a milestone of $12 billion. By opening these doors to global institutional players, the government aims to enhance the country’s appeal as a competitive investment destination and further strengthen national financial markets.
A key pillar of this economic strategy remains the contribution of the overseas Pakistani community, which currently numbers around 11 million people. Minister Aurangzeb noted that Pakistan achieved a historic milestone in FY25, with remittances exceeding $38.3 billion—a 26.6 percent increase over the previous year. Looking ahead, the government projects that remittance inflows will climb to approximately $42 billion in FY26. These inflows are considered the most critical factor in supporting Pakistan’s external account and maintaining a sustainable balance of payments.
The timing of this expansion aligns with a period of relatively stable national reserves. Currently, the State Bank of Pakistan’s foreign exchange reserves stand at approximately $16.3 billion, while the country’s total liquid reserves amount to nearly $21.6 billion. The inclusion of foreign nationals and corporate entities into the RDA framework is expected to provide an additional buffer to these reserves while offering global investors attractive returns on sovereign instruments.
Senator Aurangzeb expressed high confidence that this policy shift will invite a new wave of global investors to explore opportunities within Pakistan’s digital landscape. By evolving from a diaspora-focused tool into a broader international investment vehicle, the Roshan Digital Account is set to play a central role in the country’s long-term financial modernization. This move not only simplifies the investment process for foreigners but also reinforces the continued trust in the country’s economic trajectory and digital infrastructure.
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