How to Open a Bank Account in Pakistan: Documents, Types and Charges

A savings account suits individuals who want profit on balances; a current account suits businesses with frequent transactions and no profit expectation. Salaried employees are often better served by a payroll account with waived charges.

Pick the right account type

A savings account suits individuals who want profit on balances; a current account suits businesses with frequent transactions and no profit expectation. Salaried employees are often better served by a payroll account with waived charges.

For low-income or first-time customers, the simplified Asaan account requires minimal documentation and no minimum balance, with transaction limits in exchange.

What to bring

A valid CNIC is mandatory. Most branches also ask for proof of income or a source-of-funds declaration, a recent utility bill for address verification, and a next-of-kin CNIC copy for the nomination form.

Business accounts additionally need registration documents, a national tax number and, for companies, board resolutions.

Charges to ask about upfront

Ask specifically about minimum balance penalties, debit card annual fees, SMS alert charges and cheque book cost. These small recurring items are where most complaints originate.

Enable transaction alerts on day one and never share an OTP with anyone who calls claiming to be from the bank.

Key takeaways

• Pick the right account type
• What to bring
• Charges to ask about upfront
• Verify anything time-sensitive with the official source before you act on it.

This guide is written for a general Pakistani audience. Rules, fees and prices change; treat the numbers here as a starting point and confirm the current position before making a decision.