Zindigi, powered by JS Bank, has launched Zindigi Overseas Accounts, allowing eligible Pakistanis living abroad to open and manage bank accounts in Pakistan through a fully digital process without requiring a Pakistani mobile number or visiting a bank branch. The service enables customers to register through their existing international WhatsApp numbers and obtain a bank account with an International Bank Account Number (IBAN), rather than a conventional digital wallet. The launch targets overseas Pakistanis who need access to banking services in their home country while residing abroad. Through the Zindigi application, account holders can manage financial commitments in Pakistan, including supporting family members, paying utility bills, handling household expenses and making local transfers. The new offering is intended to make it easier for customers to maintain banking access in Pakistan without relying on a locally issued SIM card or completing account-opening procedures at a physical branch.
The digital onboarding facility is available to eligible holders of a Pakistan Origin Card (POC), National Identity Card for Overseas Pakistanis (NICOP) or Computerised National Identity Card (CNIC). Applicants can use their existing international WhatsApp numbers to begin registration through the Zindigi application. Once the onboarding requirements are completed, customers can open a digital bank account with an IBAN, providing access to banking services beyond the functionality of a standard mobile wallet. The availability of multiple identity-document options gives eligible overseas Pakistanis different routes to establish their banking relationship, subject to the applicable regulatory and verification requirements. The launch also addresses a practical barrier for people living outside Pakistan who may no longer maintain an active Pakistani mobile number but still need to manage payments and financial responsibilities at home. Zindigi has not disclosed detailed account-opening timelines, transaction limits, service charges or minimum balance requirements in its launch announcement.
Customers can select between two account structures: Non-Resident Account Repatriable (NRAR) and Non-Resident Account Non-Repatriable (NRAN). The options are intended to accommodate different financial requirements and are subject to applicable regulatory conditions. Their availability gives customers a choice based on how they intend to use and manage funds held in Pakistan. Through the application, account holders can support family members, pay household utility bills and carry out local transfers without being physically present in the country. These services are particularly relevant to overseas Pakistanis who regularly manage expenses for relatives or maintain financial commitments in Pakistan. However, customers should review the conditions attached to each account type, especially the rules governing the movement of funds outside Pakistan. The bank’s announcement does not provide detailed information about repatriation procedures, fees or transaction thresholds, making it important for prospective account holders to consult Zindigi for the applicable terms before selecting an account.
Commenting on the launch, Noman Azhar, Co-Founder and Chief Officer of Zindigi by JS Bank, said the initiative reflects the company’s objective of making banking more accessible and less dependent on geographical boundaries. He said overseas Pakistanis should be able to access financial services in their home country through digital channels, regardless of where they live. The launch adds another option to the banking services available to non-resident Pakistanis, who can already access facilities such as Roshan Digital Accounts through participating banks. Zindigi’s latest offering focuses on international WhatsApp-based registration and digital access to an IBAN account for eligible customers. By combining remote onboarding with repatriable and non-repatriable account options, the service seeks to simplify everyday banking requirements for Pakistanis abroad. Its practical reach will depend on eligibility, regulatory requirements and the final account terms, but the launch provides another digital channel for managing financial activities in Pakistan from overseas.
Follow the SPIN IDG WhatsApp Channel for updates across the Smart Pakistan Insights Network covering all of Pakistan’s technology ecosystem.
