The government has announced changes to the profit rates of various National Savings Schemes, introducing reductions and adjustments that will take effect from January 23, according to an official notification issued by the Ministry of Finance.
The move is expected to impact a wide range of investors, including senior citizens, pensioners, and small savers across Pakistan.
Revised Rates for Savings Certificates
According to the notification, several popular savings instruments have seen a reduction in annual profit rates:
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Special Savings Certificate:
Reduced from 9.6% to 9.4% -
Regular Income Certificate:
Decreased from 10.2% to 9.96%
These schemes are widely used by investors seeking stable and predictable monthly or annual returns.
Changes in Short-Term Savings Schemes
Profit rates for short-term investment options have also been revised:
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3-Month Short-Term Savings Certificate:
Cut from 10% to 9.64% -
6-Month Short-Term Savings Certificate:
Reduced from 9.9% to 9.58%
The adjustments reflect broader monetary trends and interest rate alignments.
Defense Savings Certificate Affected
The notification also confirmed a reduction in the overall return on Defense Savings Certificates, although exact figures were not specified.
This scheme is commonly preferred by long-term investors planning for future financial security.
Schemes With No Change in Profit Rates
Despite multiple revisions, several savings options will remain unchanged:
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Behbood Savings Certificate: 12%
-
Pensioners’ Benefit Account: 12%
-
General Savings Account: 9%
-
Sarwa Islamic Savings Schemes: No change in profit rates
These schemes continue to offer stable returns, particularly for retirees and Shariah-compliant investors.
What This Means for Investors
Financial experts suggest that investors should review their savings strategies, especially those relying on short-term instruments.
While the changes may reduce returns slightly, National Savings Schemes remain one of the safest investment options backed by the government.
