SBP’s digital platform lets individuals buy govt bonds; aims to boost financial inclusion
KARACHI:
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) launched InvestPak, a digital platform that allows individuals to invest directly in government securities, opening the Rs82 trillion sovereign debt market to ordinary citizens for the first time, according to a statement issued on Monday.
Until now, investing in government bonds was largely restricted to banks, mutual funds and wealthy individuals. The new web portal and mobile app eliminates the need for paperwork and intermediaries, letting anyone with a bank account buy government securities from their phone.
Finance Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb, who launched the platform in Karachi, said InvestPak advances the prime minister’s vision of a digitally enabled and financially inclusive economy. “This is about making participation in the formal financial sector simpler, more inclusive, and more accessible for every segment of society,” he said.
Aurangzeb said the platform would also help banks focus on private sector lending. “As the investor base expands, banks will have greater space to focus on their core responsibility of lending to the private sector and supporting productive economic activity,” he said.
SBP Governor Jameel Ahmad described InvestPak as “a defining milestone in the evolution of Pakistan’s financial landscape.” He said it reflects SBP’s commitment to promoting inclusive and digital access to financial services under its Strategic Vision 2028.
The platform allows users to manage multiple PKR and IPS accounts across participating banks, providing a unified view of their investments. A dedicated call centre and online support have been established to help users.
A nationwide media campaign has been launched alongside the platform. “Technology alone does not change behaviour; awareness does,” Ahmad said, adding that SBP intends to make sovereign investments a household conversation through print, social media and FM radio.
