The Government of Pakistan has officially decided to expand the scope of the Roshan Digital Account framework to include foreign nationals, foreign companies, and institutional investors. This major policy shift allows international entities to open accounts and invest directly in government securities and Naya Pakistan Certificates, which currently offer highly attractive returns. Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb announced this development, noting that the decision follows specific instructions from Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif. The move is designed to integrate Pakistan more closely with global financial markets and attract significant foreign investment through a secure, transparent, and fully digital banking platform that leverages modern financial technology.
According to the finance minister, the expansion is part of a broader strategy to enhance the country’s appeal as a premier investment destination. He highlighted that Pakistan’s overseas community of approximately 11 million people continues to serve as a vital pillar of the national economy. These individuals contribute significantly to the country’s foreign exchange through remittances and serve as global ambassadors for Pakistani enterprise. By opening the Roshan Digital Account platform to a wider global audience beyond just non-resident Pakistanis, the government intends to create a more inclusive investment ecosystem that can tap into international institutional capital and corporate liquidity.
The economic impact of digital inflows has already proven to be substantial. The finance minister pointed out that Pakistan achieved a historic milestone in the 2025 fiscal year, with total remittances exceeding 38.3 billion dollars. This represented a remarkable 26.6 percent increase compared to the previous year. Looking ahead, remittance inflows are projected to reach approximately 42 billion dollars in the 2026 fiscal year. This upward trajectory underscores the continued trust that the global community and overseas Pakistanis place in the economic prospects and stability of the country. These inflows remain the single most critical factor in supporting Pakistan’s external account and ensuring a sustainable balance of payments in the long term.
Providing further context on the nation’s financial health, Senator Aurangzeb shared that the State Bank of Pakistan currently holds foreign exchange reserves of around 16.3 billion dollars. When including the holdings of commercial banks, the country’s total reserves amount to approximately 21.6 billion dollars. This solid reserve position provides a stable foundation for the expansion of digital investment tools. The Roshan Digital Account initiative, which was originally launched on September 10, 2020, through a collaboration between the central bank and commercial institutions, has evolved into a powerhouse for financial connectivity. It was designed to provide a fully digital gateway for non-residents to access Pakistan’s banking and investment sectors without needing to visit the country physically.
Since its inception over five years ago, the initiative has demonstrated exceptional growth metrics. By the end of February 2026, more than 900,000 individual accounts had been opened, with total cumulative inflows exceeding 12 billion dollars. The finance minister expressed immense confidence that by opening these doors to foreign companies and professional institutional investors, the financial markets of Pakistan will see improved depth and liquidity. This evolution of the RDA framework is expected to invite global investors to explore a diverse range of opportunities within the country, further strengthening the digital financial infrastructure and cementing Pakistan’s position in the global digital economy.
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