Pakistan’s banking industry has launched the Pasban Remittance Reward Scheme, offering recipients Rs16 billion in annual cash prizes. The initiative encourages overseas Pakistanis to send money through formal banking channels.
State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad inaugurated the scheme at the central bank’s headquarters on September 25. The Pakistan Banks Association (PBA) leads the initiative under SBP’s patronage. Banks will fund it entirely, without any burden on the national exchequer.
Who qualifies for the Pasban scheme?
Beneficiaries must receive home remittances equivalent to at least $100 monthly for three consecutive months within a quarter. The money must reach their bank account.
Each eligible $100 remittance earns one digital, non-transferable entry, subject to meeting the three-month requirement. Receiving $100 each month generates three quarterly entries.
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Higher amounts earn proportionately more entries. Receiving $100 in October, $200 in November and $300 in December generates one, two and three entries respectively. That gives the beneficiary six entries for the quarter.
The scheme also accepts eligible wallet credits but excludes over-the-counter cash collections and Roshan Digital Account inflows.
Participation is free. Banks cannot demand fees, payments, ticket purchases, minimum balances or any other consideration.
Rs100 million top prize every quarter
Each quarterly draw will distribute 2,521 prizes worth Rs4 billion. These comprise one Rs100 million first prize and 20 second prizes worth Rs25 million each. Another 100 winners will receive Rs10 million each, while 2,400 will receive Rs1 million each.
The annual programme provides more than 10,000 winning awards, totalling Rs16 billion.
Regional allocations reserve 50% of prizes for beneficiaries receiving remittances from Gulf Cooperation Council countries. The UK and Europe each receive 15%, while North America and other countries each receive 10%. The first prize remains open to beneficiaries across all regions.
The first draw takes place on January 15, 2027, covering eligible remittances received between October 1 and December 31, 2026.
Organisers will conduct quarterly draws through a secure, fully digital and auditable process. They will publish results on the scheme’s dedicated webpage, alongside banks’ and PBA’s websites and official social media accounts.
Banks expand support for remittances and exports
PBA CEO and Secretary General Muneer Kamal described Pasban as another coordinated effort to support Pakistan’s external sector. Banks have funded an existing remitter incentive since July 2026, bringing their annual commitment to nearly Rs100 billion.
Kamal said banks also voluntarily reduced Export Refinance Facility markup by three percentage points to 4.50% for new loans and rollovers. The reduction operates within the Rs1,052 billion ERF limit, complementing Export-Import Bank financing for small and medium-sized exporters.
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PBA Chairman Zafar Masud highlighted banks’ takeover of the Rs80 billion remitter incentive and support for circular debt resolution. He also cited record private-sector, agricultural and SME lending, alongside cheaper export refinancing.
Masud said Pasban recognises overseas Pakistanis’ contribution through cooperation with SBP and the government.
Ahmad said workers’ remittances reached a record $41.6 billion in FY26. He expected inflows to exceed $44 billion in FY27.
