National Savings Scheme profit rates edge higher

May 26, 2026 (MLN): The government of Pakistan has increase profit rates on National Savings Schemes and Sarwa Islamic Schemes, with the new rates taking effect from May 26, 2026.

The Special Savings Certificate records a big increase, with its rate rising by 2.20% to 11.6% per annum for profit payments one through five.

This translates to Rs.5,800 every six months on a Rs.100,000 deposit. The sixth and final profit payment is higher still, at 12.4% per annum or Rs.6,200 per 100,000. Profits are disbursed every six months and are subject to withholding tax at 15% for filers and 30% for non-filers, along with a 2.5% zakat deduction as per applicable rules.

The Regular Income Certificate has been revised upward by 1.86% to 11.82% per annum, now paying Rs.985 per month on every Rs.100,000 invested. The Savings Account rate has risen by 1% to 10% per annum, with the same withholding tax and zakat conditions applying, according to the National Savings Pakistan

Three welfare-oriented schemes remain unchanged. The Behbood Savings Certificate, available exclusively to widows, senior citizens, and physically challenged persons, continues to offer 12% per annum, paying Rs.1,000 per month per Rs.100,000, with investment limits between Rs.5,000 and Rs.7,500,000.

The Pensioner's Benefit Account, restricted to retired government employees, and the Shuhada's Family Welfare Account, open only to families of Shuhadas, also hold steady at 12% per annum with the same monthly payout and limits of Rs.10,000 to Rs.7,500,000.

Short-Term Savings Certificates have also been revised upward. The three-month certificate now yields 10.84% per annum (Rs.2,710 per 100,000), the six-month certificate returns 10.58% per annum (Rs.5,290 per 100,000), and the one-year certificate offers 11.23% per annum (Rs.11,230 per 100,000).

The Defence Savings Certificate carries no change this cycle and continues to deliver cumulative returns over a ten-year horizon, rising from 7% at the end of year one to 15%, 24%, 35%, and 48% through year five, before accelerating to 64%, 83%, 106%, 135%, and ultimately 170% by the close of year ten.

On the Islamic banking side, profit rates on Sarwa Islamic products have risen across the board in a range of 1% to 1.65%. The Sarwa Islamic Term Account (SITA) is available in three tenors: the one-year option carries an expected annual rate of 10.93% with profit paid at maturity (Rs.10,930 per 100,000); the three-year option offers 9.16% per annum with bi-annual profit payments of Rs.4,580 per 100,000; and the five-year option yields an expected 11.16% per annum with monthly payments of Rs.930 per 100,000.

The Sarwa Islamic Saving Account (SISA) now offers 10.93% per annum with monthly profit payouts of Rs.910. All Sarwa products are subject to withholding tax, zakat, and service charges as per applicable rules.

Investors are reminded that all stated rates are pre-tax figures. The difference in withholding tax between active filers at 15% and non-filers at 30% makes a substantial difference in effective net returns, and savers are encouraged to ensure their tax filings are up to date before investing.

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