National Savings Certificates profit rates revised upward as several schemes now offer returns exceeding the SBP benchmark lending rate

Pakistan’s National Savings schemes just got a lot more appealing. The federal government raised profit rates on several certificates, with new returns now sitting above the State Bank of Pakistan’s benchmark lending rate. The revised National Savings Certificates profit rates took effect from May 26, 2026, according to a notification from the National Savings Department. Moreover, the move aims to keep government savings instruments attractive for retail investors across the country.

The headline change covers Special Savings Certificates and Special Savings Accounts. These now offer an annual return of 11.6 percent for the first five profit payouts. The final payout carries a higher rate of 12.4 percent. Furthermore, Short Term Savings Certificates also saw upward revisions. The three-month certificate now offers 10.84 percent annually. The six-month and one-year certificates provide returns of 10.58 percent and 11.23 percent respectively.

Regular Savings Accounts now carry a fixed rate of 10 percent per annum. However, some of the most popular government-backed products remain unchanged. Defence Savings Certificates, Bahbood Savings Certificates, Pensioners’ Benefit Accounts, and Shuhada Family Welfare Accounts all continue to offer 12 percent annually. Therefore, those instruments retain their position as some of the most rewarding options available to conservative savers.

Islamic savings options also received attention. The one-year Sarwa Islamic Term Account now offers an expected annual return of 10.93 percent. The five-year Sarwa Islamic Term Account moves to an expected return of 11.16 percent. Furthermore, these revisions bring Islamic savings schemes closer in line with conventional certificate returns.

National Savings Schemes serve as one of Pakistan’s largest retail investment avenues. Pensioners, retirees, and risk-averse savers depend heavily on these instruments for stable, government-backed income. Finally, with profit rates now exceeding the SBP benchmark on several products, these schemes offer a genuinely competitive option for anyone looking to protect and grow their savings safely.