What this section covers
Most savings in Pakistan go into a few kinds of products. This section explains each one, the rules that apply, and how to calculate what you would actually receive.
- National Savings schemes. These are certificates and accounts issued by the Central Directorate of National Savings (CDNS) on behalf of the government. Examples are Defence Savings Certificates, Regular Income Certificates and the Sarwa Islamic account.
- Prize bonds. These are government bearer or registered bonds. Instead of profit, holders take part in regular draws for prizes.
- Bank deposits. These are savings accounts and term deposits at commercial and Islamic banks. Some deposits are covered by the Deposit Protection Corporation.
- Funds and government securities. These include mutual funds, the Voluntary Pension System, T-bills and PIBs.
Each page states where its rules come from. Profit rates change often, so our calculators let you enter a rate yourself or use the CDNS rate with the date it was published. Always confirm the current rate with CDNS or your bank before you invest.
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Where a beginner should start
If you are new to saving and investing, read these pages in order:
- National Savings schemes explains how the certificates differ, who can buy them, and how profit is paid. Profit can be paid monthly, at maturity, or on another schedule, depending on the scheme.
- Prize bonds explains the denominations, how draws work, and why a prize bond does not pay a fixed return.
- Bank deposits explains how a savings account differs from a term deposit, and how conventional and Islamic banks describe their profit.
- The Profit calculator shows what a given amount earns over time at the rate you enter.
Two terms appear throughout the section:
- Profit rate is the yearly return a scheme or deposit pays on the amount you put in.
- Maturity is the date when the term ends and your principal (the amount you invested) is returned.
What an experienced reader will find
If you already save or trade, the detail pages go deeper:
- withholding tax and Zakat treatment, including a separate page on prize bond tax
- early encashment rules, which reduce your return if you withdraw before maturity
- the draw schedule and how to check prize bond results
- how the Deposit Protection Corporation works and which deposits it covers
Rates on savings products usually move with the State Bank of Pakistan policy rate. The latest decision we have recorded: SBP policy rate raised by 50 bps to 12% with effect from 27.10.2026 (MPC). Background on SBP rates is on SBP rates and economy.
To compare a nominal return with rising prices, use the real return calculator or the inflation calculator.
What "safe investment" means here
People often search for a safe investment in Pakistan. No product is free of every risk, so it helps to separate the risks:
- Issuer risk is the chance that whoever owes you money cannot pay. National Savings products are government obligations. Bank deposits depend on the bank and on deposit protection rules.
- Inflation risk is the chance that your return grows more slowly than prices. A positive profit can still lose purchasing power.
- Liquidity risk is the cost or delay of getting your money back early.
Leveraged forex and CFD trading is a different activity from saving. It can lose money fast, and losses can exceed what you expected to risk. The SBP also has rules on sending funds to offshore platforms; see Law and regulators for the official position. For listed securities and commodities, the supervisor is the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), with trading in listed securities and commodities only via SECP-licensed securities and futures brokers.
Frequent questions
Where do I find current National Savings profit rates?
CDNS publishes the rates. Our scheme pages and the Profit calculator show the rate with its date. Confirm it with CDNS before you invest, because rates are revised.
Do prize bonds pay profit?
No. Prize bonds do not pay regular profit. Holders take part in draws, and a bond may or may not win. See Prize bonds for the details.
Is a bank deposit protected?
Some deposits are covered by the Deposit Protection Corporation, subject to its rules and limits. See the DPC page.
Are Islamic savings options covered?
Yes. The Sarwa Islamic account and Islamic bank deposits are explained here. Wider topics are on Islamic finance.
Does this section give investment advice?
No. It explains the rules and helps you calculate figures. The choice of where to put your money is yours.