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Akif Hazarvi

Pakistan IBAN

PK·PKR

The International Bank Account Number (IBAN) for Pakistan is 24 characters long and is used to identify bank accounts for international transactions via the SWIFT network.

A Pakistan IBAN begins with the country code PK and two check digits, followed by the 20-character BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). The Pakistan BBAN encodes a 4-character bank code, followed by a 16-character account number. International transfers to Pakistan are processed in PKR via SWIFT, typically taking 1–3 business days. Always include the full 24-character IBAN together with the bank's BIC/SWIFT code when making or receiving international payments.

IBAN Length

24 chars

Currency

PKR

SEPA

No

Banks

14+

Example IBAN

Electronic format

PK36SCBL0000001123456702

Print format

PK36 SCBL 0000 0011 2345 6702

IBAN structure for Pakistan

A Pakistan IBAN is 24 characters long and consists of the following components:

Country code

PK

Check digits

36

Bank code

4 chars

Account number

16 chars

Total length24 characters

BBAN format details

The Basic Bank Account Number (BBAN) is the domestic part of the IBAN, following the country code and check digits. Here is the BBAN validation format for Pakistan:

Bank code4 characters

^[a-zA-Z0-9]{4}

Account number16 characters

^[0-9]{16}

Major banks in Pakistan

14 banks in Pakistan that support IBAN-based international transfers:

B

Bank Al Habib Limited

S

Summit Bank Ltd

S

Silkbank Limited

B

Bankislami Pakistan Limited

U

United Bank Limited

J

JS Bank Limited

D

Dubai Islamic Bank Pakistan Limited

F

Faysal Bank Limited

A

Allied Bank Limited

M

Mcb Bank Limited

A

Albaraka Bank (pakistan)limited

M

Meezan Bank Limited

S

Standard Chartered Bank (pakistan) Limited

H

Habib Metropolitan Bank Limited

Understanding IBAN in Pakistan

What is the IBAN format in Pakistan

An IBAN (International Bank Account Number) is an internationally-agreed code made up of up to 34 letters and numbers that helps banks make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. Each set of characters represents a different detail for your bank account. You can see the breakdown of this IBAN below.

What is the IBAN code in Pakistan

IBAN in Pakistan consists of 24 characters: 2 letter country code 2 digit check number 4 characters from the bank's bank code 16 digit code for the bank account number

Do you need an IBAN in Pakistan

Yes. If you’re making – or expecting to receive – an international money transfer to a bank account in Pakistan, then just a standard bank account number isn’t enough. If you want your money to arrive quickly and safely, you’ll usually need to give the bank a few extra details, such as an IBAN or SWIFT code. Banks assign IBANs to each of their accounts to make sure that international transfers are processed correctly. IBANs contain all of the country, bank, and account details you need to send or receive money internationally. This system is used throughout Europe, and also recognised in some areas of the Middle East, North Africa and the Caribbean.

Frequently asked questions

What is the IBAN format for Pakistan?

A Pakistan IBAN is exactly 24 characters long. It starts with the country code PK, followed by 2 check digits, a 4-character alphanumeric bank code (e.g. SCBL for Standard Chartered, MUCB for MCB Bank), and a 16-digit account number. Example: PK36 SCBL 0000 0011 2345 6702.

When did Pakistan adopt the IBAN system?

The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) mandated IBAN adoption in December 2012, with full migration completed by July 2013. All Pakistani bank accounts — including those at commercial banks, Islamic banks, and microfinance banks — now have a 24-character IBAN.

Do I need an IBAN to receive money from abroad in Pakistan?

Yes. All international wire transfers to Pakistan require the recipient's full 24-character IBAN along with the bank's SWIFT/BIC code. Without a valid IBAN, the payment may be delayed or rejected by the beneficiary bank.

Is Pakistan part of SEPA?

No. Pakistan is not part of the SEPA (Single Euro Payments Area). International transfers to Pakistan are processed through the SWIFT network, which typically takes 1-3 business days and may involve intermediary bank fees.

How do I find my IBAN in Pakistan?

You can find your Pakistan IBAN through your bank's online banking portal or mobile app, on your bank statement, or on the front/back of your debit card. You can also visit your bank branch and request it. Major banks like HBL, UBL, MCB, and Meezan Bank all display the IBAN in their digital banking apps.

What are the bank codes for major Pakistani banks?

Each Pakistani bank has a unique 4-character code assigned by SBP: SCBL (Standard Chartered), MUCB (MCB Bank), HABB (Bank Al Habib), UNIL (United Bank Limited), ALFH (Allied Bank), FAYS (Faysal Bank), MEZU (Meezan Bank), BKIP (BankIslami), HMBK (Habib Metropolitan Bank), and JSBL (JS Bank).

Are home remittances to Pakistan taxed?

No. Under SBP incentive schemes, home remittances received through banking channels (including IBAN-based wire transfers) are exempt from withholding tax and income tax. This makes bank transfers one of the most tax-efficient ways to receive money from abroad in Pakistan.

Can mobile wallet accounts (JazzCash, Easypaisa) receive international transfers via IBAN?

Yes. Microfinance banks like Mobilink Microfinance Bank (JazzCash) and Telenor Microfinance Bank (Easypaisa) issue IBANs for their accounts. If the sender has the correct IBAN and SWIFT code, international wire transfers can be credited to these mobile wallet-linked bank accounts.

What happens to the currency when I receive an international transfer in Pakistan?

SBP regulations require that all inbound foreign currency is converted to PKR at the receiving bank's prevailing exchange rate on the day of credit. Recipients cannot hold foreign currency in a standard PKR account. The conversion rate varies between banks, so it is worth comparing your bank's posted rate against the interbank rate.

What is the difference between IBAN and account number in Pakistan?

Your IBAN contains your account number but adds extra information for international routing. A Pakistan IBAN = PK (country) + 2 check digits + 4-character bank code + your 16-digit account number. The IBAN ensures your international transfer reaches the correct bank and account without manual intervention.

How IBAN is used in Pakistan

Pakistan adopted the IBAN system in December 2012, when the State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) mandated that all banks migrate from legacy account numbers to the 24-character IBAN format. The transition was completed by July 2013, and today every PKR bank account in Pakistan has a corresponding IBAN. Pakistan is not part of SEPA, so all international transfers to Pakistan are routed through the SWIFT network rather than the SEPA payment system used in Europe.

A Pakistani IBAN is exactly 24 characters: the country code PK, two check digits, a 4-character alphanumeric bank code, and a 16-digit account number. For example, in PK36SCBL0000001123456702, SCBL is the bank code for Standard Chartered Bank Pakistan. The 4-character bank code is assigned by SBP and uniquely identifies each bank — MUCB for MCB Bank, HABB for Bank Al Habib, UNIL for United Bank Limited (UBL), and ALFH for Allied Bank (ABL).
Pakistan has over 30 commercial banks and 5 specialised banks connected to the IBAN system, including Islamic banks like Meezan Bank (MEZU) and BankIslami (BKIP). Microfinance banks such as JazzCash (Mobilink Microfinance Bank) and Easypaisa (Telenor Microfinance Bank) also issue IBANs, which means mobile wallet accounts can receive international wire transfers if the sender has the correct IBAN.
When sending money to Pakistan, the recipient must provide their full 24-character IBAN along with the bank's SWIFT/BIC code. SBP regulations require that all inbound foreign currency remittances are converted to PKR at the bank's prevailing rate on the day of credit. Home remittances to Pakistan are exempt from withholding tax and income tax under SBP incentive schemes, making IBAN-based bank transfers a tax-efficient way to receive money from abroad.