The government of Pakistan has decided to broaden the scope of the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) initiative to allow foreign nationals, international companies, and institutional investors to open accounts and invest in government securities as well as Naya Pakistan Certificates, according to a statement issued by the Finance Division on Monday.
The announcement was made by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, who said the move reflects “the government’s commitment to further integrate Pakistan with global financial markets and attract foreign investment through a secure and transparent digital banking platform”.
The minister noted that Pakistan’s diaspora of around 11 million people forms one of the world’s largest and most dynamic expatriate communities.
“In every part of the globe, from the Middle East to Europe, from North America to the Far East, Pakistani professionals, entrepreneurs, workers and students are contributing to their host economies while continuing to support their families and communities back home,” he was quoted as saying in the Finance Division statement.
Aurangzeb said overseas Pakistanis are “not only a source of economic strength for the country but also serve as ambassadors of Pakistan’s culture, enterprise and values around the world”.
Highlighting the economic contribution of overseas Pakistanis, the finance minister said that according to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country reached a historic milestone in fiscal year 2025 with remittances exceeding $38.3 billion — a 26.6% increase compared to the previous year.
“As Pakistan progresses through fiscal year 2026, remittances are projected to reach an unprecedented $42 billion. This strong performance reflects the continued trust and confidence of the diaspora in Pakistan’s economic prospects and their unwavering support in strengthening the country’s foreign exchange reserves and overall economic growth. With this consistent performance, Pakistan now ranks fifth among the top remittance-receiving countries globally and second in South Asia.”
The finance minister stressed that remittance inflows remain the most crucial factor in stabilising Pakistan’s external accounts, helping maintain a sustainable balance of payments and strengthen foreign exchange reserves. He added that the SBP’s reserves currently stand at about $16.3 billion, while the country’s total foreign exchange reserves are approximately $21.6 billion.
Recalling the launch of the initiative, Aurangzeb said that to strengthen the connection between non-resident Pakistanis (NRPs) and the country’s banking system, the central bank — in collaboration with commercial banks — introduced the RDA programme on September 10, 2020, under the slogan “Door Reh Kar bhi Paas”.
“RDA serves as a flagship digital banking mechanism that allows non-resident Pakistanis to open bank accounts remotely, invest in government securities and Naya Pakistan Certificates, trade in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and mutual funds, and purchase property in Pakistan, in addition to accessing a wide range of digital banking services,” he explained.
The finance minister expressed satisfaction with the programme’s progress, noting that the RDA initiative launched about five and a half years ago “has achieved significant milestones”.
As of the end of February 2026, more than 900,000 Roshan Digital Accounts had been opened, with total inflows exceeding $12 billion.
Aurangzeb said expanding the RDA framework to include foreign nationals, corporations and institutional investors would further strengthen Pakistan’s appeal as an investment destination and deepen the country’s financial markets.
Addressing the international investment community, the finance minister invited investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan, stressing that the government’s ongoing reforms, improved digital infrastructure and expanding financial access are designed to provide a transparent, secure and welcoming environment for global capital.
