In a landmark policy shift aimed at integrating the national economy with global capital markets, the Government of Pakistan has officially expanded the scope of the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) framework. Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced on Monday that the platform, previously reserved for non-resident Pakistanis, is now open to foreign nationals, foreign companies, and international institutional investors. This expansion allows a broader range of global players to invest directly in high-yield government securities and Naya Pakistan Certificates through a secure, fully digital banking interface.
The RDA initiative, originally launched in September 2020 under the slogan “Door Reh Kar bhi Paas” (Close even from afar), has evolved into a cornerstone of Pakistan’s external sector stability. By the end of February 2026, the program surpassed a major milestone with over 900,000 accounts opened and total cumulative inflows exceeding $12 billion. Finance Minister Aurangzeb emphasized that inviting foreign individuals and institutions into this ecosystem will not only broaden the investor base but also significantly deepen domestic financial markets by providing a transparent gateway for international capital.
The move comes on the back of a record-breaking performance in remittances, which reached $38.3 billion in fiscal year 2025—a 26.6 percent increase over the previous year. The government projects these inflows to climb even further to approximately $42 billion in FY26. As the fifth-largest remittance-receiving country globally and the second-largest in South Asia, Pakistan relies heavily on its diaspora of 11 million people. Aurangzeb noted that these funds are the “most critical factor” in stabilizing the balance of payments and bolstering foreign exchange reserves, which currently stand at $16.3 billion for the State Bank of Pakistan and $21.6 billion in total national reserves.
Beyond simple fund transfers, the expanded RDA enables international investors to trade on the Pakistan Stock Exchange, invest in mutual funds, and participate in the local real estate market. The finance minister framed this decision as a clear signal to the global investment community that Pakistan is “open for investment.” By leveraging improved digital infrastructure and a more transparent regulatory environment, the government aims to create a secure climate that can withstand global economic volatility while offering competitive returns to foreign entities.
The expansion of the RDA is part of a broader reform agenda designed to reduce the country’s dependence on traditional borrowing by attracting sustainable, non-debt creating foreign investment. As the State Bank of Pakistan continues to modernize its digital banking services, the inclusion of institutional investors is expected to bring a new level of sophistication and liquidity to the local debt and equity markets. This policy shift marks a definitive step toward making Pakistan a more accessible and attractive destination for the world’s sophisticated financial players.
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