Pakistan Prize Bond FAQs
Clear answers about Pakistan Prize Bonds, winning eligibility, prize claims, tax, buying and encashment, Premium Prize Bonds, lost or damaged bonds, and official draw information.
Current prize-bond denominations
Minimum issue period before a draw
Maximum prize-claim period
Current filer / non-filer prize tax
Prize Bond Basics
Start with the rules that apply to current National Prize Bonds and Premium Prize Bonds.
Which prize bond denominations are currently available in Pakistan?
The current denominations are Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.750 and Rs.1,500 National Prize Bonds, plus Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Premium Prize Bonds (Registered). The old bearer Rs.7,500, Rs.15,000, Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 bonds are not current denominations.
What is the difference between a National Prize Bond and a Premium Prize Bond?
Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.750 and Rs.1,500 bonds are bearer instruments. The Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Premium Prize Bonds are registered in the investor’s name and also provide profit payments in addition to quarterly prize draws.
How long must a prize bond be held before it can win?
National Savings states that a bond must have been issued at least 60 days before the relevant draw date to be eligible for prize money.
How many prize bond draws are held each year?
The standard Rs.100, Rs.200, Rs.750 and Rs.1,500 denominations normally have four draws each year according to the official annual draw schedule. Premium Prize Bonds also have quarterly prize-money draws.
Can any guess paper, VIP number or formula guarantee a winning prize bond?
No. National Savings explicitly states that there is no way to ensure that a purchased prize bond will win. Winning numbers are determined through the official draw process.
Where can I check official draw dates and results?
Use the annual draw schedule and result pages published by National Savings or the State Bank of Pakistan. PrizeBondList.pk provides an independent searchable copy for convenience, but official sources should be used to resolve any discrepancy.
Buying, Selling and Encashment
These answers apply mainly to the current bearer National Prize Bonds unless Premium Prize Bonds are specifically mentioned.
Where can I buy or encash National Prize Bonds?
Current National Prize Bonds can be purchased or encashed through SBP BSC offices, National Savings Centers and designated commercial bank branches, subject to the applicable procedures and shut-period rules.
Is there a limit on how many National Prize Bonds I can buy?
National Savings currently states that there is no purchase limit for National Prize Bonds.
What is the shut period?
The shut period is the period before a draw during which sale of that denomination is stopped by authorized issuers. It supports the minimum holding-period rule for draw eligibility.
How do I encash a normal National Prize Bond?
Present the original eligible bond through an authorized channel and, after completing the required procedure, receive its face value. Current procedures may require an application form and valid CNIC.
What happens if a bearer Prize Bond is lost or stolen?
A standard National Prize Bond is a bearer instrument. SBP states that payment cannot simply be stopped and a duplicate is not issued for a stolen bearer prize bond. Whoever holds the instrument is treated as its holder, so bearer bonds should be kept securely.
Can a damaged Prize Bond still be paid?
Potentially yes. SBP and National Savings state that damaged or defaced bonds may be paid if they satisfy the prescribed rules and verification requirements. Severely mutilated, forged or tampered bonds may not qualify.
Winning, Claims and Tax
The claim route depends on the type of bond, prize amount and current payment procedure.
How long do I have to claim Prize Bond prize money?
The maximum claim period is six years from the date of the relevant draw.
How soon after a draw can I submit a prize claim?
Prize claims are not normally processed the next day because official winning lists must first be prepared and circulated. National Savings guidance says claims are generally lodged after a few working days.
What documents are normally required to claim prize money on a bearer Prize Bond?
SBP guidance requires the prescribed claim form, a valid CNIC copy, the original winning bond signed on the reverse, a signed copy of the winning bond, and banking details required for payment. Always check the latest form instructions before submitting a large claim.
Where can I submit a Prize Bond prize-money claim?
SBP guidance allows claims up to Rs.1,250 at SBP BSC offices, participating commercial banks and National Savings Centers. Claims up to Rs.500,000 may be submitted at SBP BSC offices and designated commercial banks, while prizes above Rs.500,000 are handled through SBP BSC offices. Verify the current participating bank and office rules before visiting.
How much tax is deducted from Prize Bond winnings?
Current National Savings policy states that 15% of prize money is deducted for filers appearing on the Active Taxpayers List and 30% for non-filers.
Is there a fee for the official prize claim form?
National Savings states that there is no charge for the prize-money claim form.
Can the same bond win in more than one draw?
Yes. If the same eligible bond number wins in separate draws, each prize can be claimed separately within the six-year claim period for its relevant draw.
Premium Prize Bond FAQs
The Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Premium Prize Bonds are registered products and work differently from bearer bonds.
Which Premium Prize Bond denominations are active?
The current Premium Prize Bond denominations are Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000.
Who can buy a Premium Prize Bond?
National Savings states that adult Pakistani citizens and Overseas Pakistanis can purchase Premium Prize Bonds, subject to registration and documentation requirements.
How are Premium Prize Bond prizes and profit paid?
Prize money and profit are credited directly to the investor’s registered bank account. National Savings states that a separate prize claim form is not required for this direct-credit process.
How many Premium Prize Bond draws are held each year?
Premium Prize Bonds have four quarterly prize-money draws each year.
Is tax deducted from Premium Prize Bond income?
Yes. Withholding tax applies to both profit and prize money at the prevailing rates. National Savings currently lists 15% for filers and 30% for non-filers.
Is Zakat deducted from Premium Prize Bonds?
The Premium Prize Bond scheme is exempt from compulsory deduction of Zakat under the scheme rules.
What happens if a registered Premium Prize Bond is lost?
Unlike a bearer bond, a lost Premium Prize Bond can be reported by the registered investor. The scheme provides a process using the prescribed lost-bond application and FIR or report, after which a replacement bond of the same face value can be issued with a new serial number after verification.
Can Premium Prize Bonds be transferred or pledged?
Yes. National Savings and SBP describe Premium Prize Bonds as transferable and pledgeable, subject to the scheme rules and required procedures.
Withdrawn and Historical Prize Bonds
Older bearer denominations should not be confused with today’s registered Premium Prize Bonds.
Are Rs.7,500 and Rs.15,000 Prize Bonds still active?
No. The bearer Rs.7,500 and Rs.15,000 denominations were withdrawn from circulation.
What happened to the old bearer Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Prize Bonds?
Those bearer denominations were also withdrawn. They are different products from today’s Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 Premium Prize Bonds (Registered).
What was the final deadline for withdrawn bearer bonds?
SBP’s final published extension set December 31, 2024 as the last date for encashment, conversion or redemption of the withdrawn Rs.7,500, Rs.15,000, Rs.25,000 and Rs.40,000 bearer bonds.
Official Sources and Site Independence
PrizeBondList.pk is an independent information website. It is not operated by National Savings, the State Bank of Pakistan or the Government of Pakistan. We organize prize-bond information and results for easier checking, while official government sources remain the final authority for prize claims, scheme rules and policy changes.