Roshan Digital Account

Roshan Digital Account (RDA) (Urdu روشن ڈیجیٹل اکاؤنٹ) is a facility available to non-resident Pakistanis, this facility allows Pakistani nationals living abroad to have access to banking services within Pakistan without having to visit a consulate, embassy, or a physical bank branch. The initiative was launched by the government of Imran Khan, who inaugurated the programme in September 2020.[1] Toward the end of August 2021, RDA deposits had exceeded $2 billion .[2]

Roshan Digital Account
Native name
روشن ڈیجیٹل اکاؤنٹ
TypeDigital banking facility for Overseas Pakistanis
FoundedSeptember 2020 (2020-09)
Servicessee below
OwnerGovernment of Pakistan
ParentState Bank of Pakistan
Websitewww.sbp.org.pk/rda/index.html

The RDA banking process is entirely digital with accounts setup and operated online. The facility has simplified procedures for opening an account compared to the challenges non-resident Pakistanis faced in accessing banking services before this facility was available. The account can be set up within 48 hours.[3]

History

RDA services were launched in September 2020 and as of end of October 2022 over US $5.2 billion have been deposited by oversees Pakistanis in these accounts.[4][5]

The facility was developed by the State Bank of Pakistan, the Pakistani central bank, on the policy initiative of the Pakistani government of PM Imran Khan, the facility continues to be operated by the central bank.

Services

Oversees Pakistanis can open these accounts which are available in either rupee denomination or a foreign currency denomination (such as pound, euro or dollar). Funds in these accounts are fully repatriable (no limit on inflow or outflow of money from the accounts). Another service available for oversees Pakistanis is the ability to use this RDA facility to invest in Pakistan's stock market or buy Pakistani government bonds directly from their accounts. At the start of the initiative, eight of Pakistan's banks agreed to provide this facility to non-resident Pakistanis, including some of the largest players in Pakistani banking such as Faysal Bank, Habib Bank Limited (HBL) and United Bank Limited (UBL).[6]

Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs)

RDA enabling investment by non-resident Pakistanis in Naya Pakistan Certificates (NPCs) issued by the Government of Pakistan, in USD, GBP, EURO and PKR in both conventional and Shariah-compliant forms. On NPC, only a 10% withholding tax on profits is applicable that is full and final. No filling of tax return is required.

Resident Pakistanis who have assets abroad declared with FBR can also invest in USD/GBP/EURO denominated NPCs. To do so, they can open a Roshan Digital Account in foreign currency by visiting a bank branch in Pakistan.

References
  1. "PM Imran to launch Roshan Digital Account today". www.thenews.com.pk.
  2. "Funds received through Roshan Digital Account have crossed $1 billion: PM".
  3. "Roshan Digital Account: A groundbreaking investment initiative facilitating foreign investors". The Express Tribune. November 25, 2020.
  4. "Roshan Digital Account deposits crossed $800mn: SBP". April 1, 2021.
  5. "State Bank of Pakistan". www.sbp.org.pk. Retrieved 2022-12-05.
  6. https://www.psx.com.pk/psx/themes/psx/uploads/RDA_list_of_bank.pdf
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