The federal government is moving ahead with the digital transformation of the Central Directorate of National Savings, aiming to modernize services and improve accessibility for millions of savers across the country.
According to the Pakistan Economic Survey 2025-26, the initiative will reduce reliance on traditional in-person visits to National Savings Centres by introducing digital payment and account management services.
The CDNS serves as the retail arm of the government’s savings network, offering National Savings Schemes (NSS) designed for small investors, pensioners, widows, and senior citizens. As of March 31, 2026, the NSS portfolio stood at approximately Rs. 3.6 trillion, accounting for around 10 percent of Pakistan’s banking deposits and 6.5 percent of total domestic debt.
Under the digitalisation drive, customers can now receive profit payments through cheques, ATM withdrawals, and direct transfers via Raast, eliminating the need for many account holders to visit savings centres physically.
The organisation has also introduced a mobile application to facilitate digital access to savings products and account services. Official figures show that around 350,000 debit cards had been issued by March 2026, while active mobile app users reached approximately 90,000.
In addition, a co-branded credit card developed in partnership with Bank of Punjab has been soft-launched as part of efforts to expand digital financial services.
The reforms come as Pakistan continues to face challenges in increasing formal household savings. Despite the availability of National Savings Schemes, a large portion of personal savings remains invested in informal assets such as real estate, gold, and foreign currency holdings.
Experts believe that greater digital accessibility could encourage more people to use formal savings channels, improving financial inclusion and helping mobilize funds for productive economic activities.
Economic analysts also note that declining real incomes and higher taxation have reduced household savings capacity in recent years, making efficient and accessible savings instruments increasingly important for consumers.
