RDA expanded to foreign investors
The federal government has recently offered very high interest rate to overseas Pakistanis on their investments in digital accounts. PHOTO: FILE
The government has decided to expand the Roshan Digital Account (RDA) framework to allow foreign nationals, companies and institutional investors to open accounts and invest in government securities and Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs), the finance ministry said on Monday.
The decision was taken on the instruction of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif and announced by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, according to a statement issued by the ministry.
The expansion will enable foreign investors to access Pakistan's digital banking platform and participate in investment instruments previously available mainly to non-resident Pakistanis (NRPs).
Aurangzeb said the step reflects the government's commitment to integrating Pakistan with global financial markets and attracting foreign investment through a secure and transparent digital banking system.
Highlighting the role of overseas Pakistanis, the finance minister noted that Pakistan's diaspora of around 11 million people represents one of the largest expatriate communities globally. Pakistani professionals, entrepreneurs, workers and students across regions including the Middle East, Europe, North America and the Far East continue to contribute to host economies while supporting families and communities in Pakistan.
According to the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP), the country achieved record remittances of more than $38.3 billion in fiscal year 2025, marking a 26.6% increase compared to the previous year. Aurangzeb said remittances are projected to reach about $42 billion in fiscal year 2026.
He said the strong inflows reflect the continued trust of the diaspora in Pakistan's economic prospects and their contribution to strengthening foreign exchange reserves and economic growth. Pakistan now ranks fifth among the world's top remittance-receiving countries and second in South Asia.
Aurangzeb added that remittance inflows remain the most critical factor supporting Pakistan's external account, helping maintain balance-of-payments stability and build foreign exchange reserves.
He said the SBP's reserves currently stand at about $16.3 billion, while the country's total foreign exchange reserves amount to around $21.6 billion.
The Roshan Digital Account initiative was launched by the SBP in collaboration with commercial banks on September 10, 2020, to connect non-resident Pakistanis with the country's banking and investment system through a fully digital platform.
Through the RDA facility, overseas Pakistanis can open bank accounts remotely, invest in government securities and NPCs, trade in the Pakistan Stock Exchange and mutual funds, and purchase property in Pakistan while accessing digital banking services.
Aurangzeb said the initiative has made significant progress since its launch. As of February 2026, more than 900,000 Roshan Digital Accounts had been opened with total inflows exceeding $12 billion.
He said expanding the RDA framework to foreign nationals, companies and institutional investors would deepen Pakistan's financial markets and strengthen the country's investment environment further.