What a Roshan Digital Account is
A Roshan Digital Account is a bank account for non-resident Pakistanis and others eligible under the scheme. It is opened online with a participating Pakistani bank, without visiting a branch. The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) runs the scheme together with the banks.
The account can be held in foreign currency or rupees, and it connects to several investment options inside Pakistan. Two common options are:
- Naya Pakistan Certificates. These are government savings instruments. They pay a stated return and do not trade on an exchange.
- Roshan Equity Investment. This is the route for buying listed shares on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX).
Eligibility, currencies and account features differ by bank. Check the current conditions with your bank and on the official SBP and bank websites.
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How Roshan Equity Investment works
Roshan Equity Investment lets an RDA holder become a shareholder in PSX-listed companies. In general, the route has these parts:
- RDA with a participating bank. The money used for share purchases comes from this account.
- A licensed securities broker. Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), with trading in listed securities and commodities only via SECP-licensed securities and futures brokers. Only brokers that offer the RDA route can open this type of account for you.
- A CDC account. The Central Depository Company (CDC) holds shares electronically. Your broker usually opens a sub-account in your name under its CDC participant account. See CDC accounts for how this works.
- Funding and orders. Money moves from the RDA to the broker, and you place buy or sell orders through the broker's platform.
- Proceeds. When you sell shares or receive dividends, the money goes back to your RDA. Whether and how you can send it abroad depends on current SBP rules and your bank.
The order of steps, the forms and the documents vary between banks and brokers. Ask both for their current process in writing.
For general background on the exchange, read PSX basics and PSX explained. For opening a standard brokerage account, see Open trading account.
Roshan Equity Investment vs Naya Pakistan Certificates
| Point | Naya Pakistan Certificates | Roshan Equity Investment (PSX shares) |
|---|---|---|
| Issuer | Government of Pakistan | Listed companies |
| Return | Stated by the issuer | Share price changes and any dividends |
| Price risk | No exchange price | Share prices can fall below what you paid |
| Intermediary | Bank | SECP-licensed broker, plus CDC |
| Exit | Per certificate terms | Sell on PSX during market hours |
Current certificate returns, tenors and currencies are published by the issuer and the banks. Check them there. For other savings products, see Savings and deposits.
Rules and checks before you start
- Confirm the broker is licensed. On where to check, per the SECP, lists of licensed brokers are on the PSX and PMEX websites. Compare the broker's name with that list before you send any money.
- Use official channels only. SECP warnings by press release naming platforms (Quotex 09.04.2025; IBKR look-alikes, IGIL Securities, BMA Capital No.108 etc. 22.05.2025; Hillhouse Capital, S-169 Wharton 13.01.2026), none of which names Exness. Fake broker accounts and look-alike apps often reach people through social media and messaging apps.
- Know the tax position. Capital gains and dividend tax for RDA holders are set by FBR rules and can change. See Capital gains tax and confirm current rates with FBR or a tax adviser.
- Understand settlement and hours. Trades settle over a set cycle, and the market has trading hours and price limits. See Settlement cycle and Hours and limits.
- Keep records. Save the broker's contract notes, CDC statements and RDA statements. You will need them for tax and repatriation questions.
Risk
Shares can lose value, sometimes quickly, and dividends are not guaranteed. Currency movements also change what your investment is worth in foreign currency terms. Roshan Equity Investment is a cash shares route. It is not the same as leveraged forex or CFD trading, where losses can build fast. On offshore platforms, per the SECP, offshore platforms have no Pakistani licence or oversight and offer no legal protection or recourse. For general principles, see Risk management and Law and regulators.
Frequent questions
Can I buy PSX shares with my Roshan Digital Account?
Yes, through the Roshan Equity Investment route. You use an SECP-licensed broker that offers the RDA route, and your shares are held in a CDC account.
Do I need a separate broker account?
Yes. The bank provides the RDA, and a licensed broker provides the trading account and the CDC sub-account.
Are Naya Pakistan Certificates traded on PSX?
No. They are government certificates held through your bank. They do not trade on the exchange.
Where do sale proceeds go?
They are credited back to your RDA. Ask your bank for the current repatriation rules.
How do I check a broker is real?
Look for the broker's name on the PSX broker list, which SECP points to. Then contact the broker only through the details given on its official website.