Pakistan’s National Savings organisation has raised returns on several popular investment products from October 21, providing higher stated income for pensioners, senior citizens and other savers who depend on government-backed certificates and accounts.
The revised schedule issued by the Central Directorate of National Savings puts the rate on Behbood Savings Certificates, Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts and Shuhada’s Family Welfare Accounts at 12.96%, up from 12.72%.
What changed
Regular Income Certificates now offer a stated annual rate of 12.12%, compared with 11.76% previously.
The revised National Savings schedule also lists Special Savings returns at 12% to 12.8%, depending on the relevant profit payment, while short-term products have rates ranging from 11.12% to 11.72%. The ordinary Savings Account rate is listed at 10%.
These figures are not interchangeable: some products pay monthly, some have different payment intervals, and some apply a different rate to later payments. A saver comparing products should consider the payout schedule as well as the headline percentage.
Why the adjustment matters
Government savings products are especially important for households seeking predictable income without exposure to daily stock-market fluctuations. A rate change of only a few tenths of a percentage point can make a meaningful difference to people with larger deposits, particularly for savers relying on regular income.
At the same time, the nominal return does not tell the whole story. Inflation reduces purchasing power, while taxes and any applicable deductions affect take-home income. Savers should also consider liquidity needs and whether early encashment changes their entitlement.
The October 21 schedule is an update to product returns, not a promise that future rates will remain unchanged. Investors considering a new certificate or account should verify the current schedule and eligibility rules directly with National Savings before committing funds.
Sources: Central Directorate of National Savings official profit rates, effective 21 October 2026: https://savings.gov.pk/profit-rates/ ; Dawn (21 October 2026): https://www.dawn.com/news/2038739