National Savings Scheme Comparison
Compare the main National Savings (Qaumi Bachat) schemes of Pakistan side by side: who can invest, limits, how often profit is paid, and approximate profit rates. Rates change over time, so all rates are reference values as of October 2026 and you can edit them yourself.
Important: the profit rates below are reference values only (as of October 2026), not promises. National Savings revises rates periodically. Always verify the current rate on the official National Savings website (savings.gov.pk) or at your nearest National Savings Center before investing.
Scheme comparison table
| Scheme | Who can invest | Min / Max investment | Profit paid | Reference rate (%/year, editable) | Tax / Zakat notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Behbood Savings Certificate | Pakistani citizens aged 60+, widows, and persons with disabilities | Rs 5,000 min / Rs 7,500,000 max | Monthly | Withholding tax on profit (filer rate is lower). Zakat is generally not deducted on National Savings certificates; confirm at the counter. | |
| Pensioners Benefit Account | Retired government and semi-government employees, armed forces pensioners, and their widows and widowers | Rs 10,000 min / Rs 7,500,000 max | Monthly | Withholding tax on profit (filer rate is lower). Zakat is generally not deducted; confirm at the counter. | |
| Regular Income Certificate | Any adult Pakistani citizen | Rs 25,000 min / no stated maximum | Monthly | Withholding tax on profit (filer rate is lower). Zakat is generally not deducted; confirm at the counter. | |
| Special Savings Certificate | Any Pakistani citizen | Rs 500 min / no stated maximum | Every 6 months | Withholding tax on profit (filer rate is lower). Zakat is generally not deducted; confirm at the counter. | |
| Defence Savings Certificate | Any Pakistani citizen | Rs 500 min / no stated maximum | At maturity (10 years) | Withholding tax applies when profit is paid. Zakat is generally not deducted; confirm at the counter. | |
| Short Term Savings Certificate | Any Pakistani citizen | Rs 10,000 min / no stated maximum | At maturity (3, 6 or 12 months) | Withholding tax applies when profit is paid. Zakat is generally not deducted; confirm at the counter. |
Limits and eligibility above follow the published scheme rules. "No stated maximum" means the scheme rules do not set a per-certificate cap; overall holding limits may still apply, so ask at the counter.
Side-by-side profit comparison
Pick two schemes and an amount. The tool estimates simple annualized profit before tax using the reference rates above (edit the rates in the table to use your own). For schemes that pay at maturity, the monthly figure is a simple average, not a real monthly payout.