Pakistan IBAN
A Pakistan IBAN is 24 characters long.
PK and two check digits open every Pakistan IBAN; its remaining 20 form the BBAN (Basic Bank Account Number). Transfers into Pakistan arrive in PKR over SWIFT.
Example Pakistan IBAN
Electronic format
PK36SCBL0000001123456702
Print format
PK36 SCBL 0000 0011 2345 6702
IBAN structure for Pakistan
Major banks in Pakistan
14 banks in Pakistan that support IBAN-based international transfers:
Format reference: SWIFT IBAN Registry.
Pakistan IBAN 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.
Jordan
Bahrain
Saudi Arabia
Brazil
Georgia
Kuwait