Pakistan offers Rs16bn rewards for formal overseas remittances

Pakistan has introduced the Pasban Remittance Rewards Scheme, offering Rs16 billion in annual cash prizes to eligible recipients of money sent through formal banking channels by overseas Pakistanis. The programme is being operated by participating banks under the Pakistan Banks Association, with support from the State Bank of Pakistan and technical management of the draw system by 1LINK.

Recipients do not need to submit a separate application, buy a ticket, download an application or send an SMS to participate. Digital entries are generated automatically when qualifying remittances are credited to an eligible Pakistani bank account or wallet, while participation does not require a minimum balance or the payment of a registration fee.

To qualify for a quarterly draw, a beneficiary must receive a home remittance equivalent to at least $100 in the same eligible account during each of the quarter’s three consecutive months. Receiving a larger transfer in one month cannot compensate for failing to receive the required minimum in another month. Higher remittance values generate additional entries in proportion to qualifying $100 increments.

The banking industry will fund the Rs16 billion annual prize pool without placing a financial burden on the national exchequer. Each quarterly draw will distribute Rs4 billion among 2,521 winners, comprising one first prize of Rs100 million, 20 prizes of Rs25 million, 100 prizes of Rs10 million and 2,400 prizes of Rs1 million.

The first qualifying period runs from October 1 to December 31, 2026, with the initial draw scheduled for January 15, 2027. Transfers made before October 1 will not count towards that draw. Entries are confined to the quarter in which they are generated and cannot be carried forward if the recipient fails to meet the three-month eligibility requirement.

Several types of transactions are excluded. Cash collected over the counter does not qualify because the remittance must be deposited directly into an eligible account or wallet. Roshan Digital Account inflows, foreign-currency accounts, institutional or company accounts, commercial payments, investments, property transactions and reversed, cancelled or fraudulent transfers are also outside the programme.

Prize allocations below the top award will be divided geographically, with 50 percent assigned to remittances originating from Gulf Cooperation Council countries, 15 percent each to the United Kingdom and Europe, and 10 percent each to North America and other regions. The Rs100 million first prize will remain open to eligible recipients regardless of the remittance’s country of origin.

Successful participants will be contacted by their banks, while draw results are expected to be released publicly without exposing recipients’ personal information. Prize money will be credited in Pakistani rupees after verification, with applicable withholding tax deducted. Beneficiaries have been advised to keep their identification records and bank contact details current so verification delays do not postpone payment.

The initiative is designed to encourage overseas Pakistanis to use regulated financial channels and recognise their contribution to household welfare and the wider economy. Workers’ remittances reached a record $41.6 billion in the 2025–26 financial year, supporting foreign-exchange stability while helping Pakistani families meet education, healthcare, consumption and investment expenses.

The scheme’s success will depend on transparent and independently auditable draws, accurate entry generation and effective protection against scams. Since participation is automatic and free, recipients should reject demands for ticket payments, registration charges or confidential banking credentials and verify any prize communication directly with their bank.