Pakistani expatriates in the UAE are urged to utilize official channels for sending funds back home and stand a chance to receive rewards, redeemable for various benefits like discounts on airline tickets, covering additional luggage fees, and passport renewal.

The State Bank of Pakistan has implemented multiple initiatives to incentivize overseas Pakistanis to remit money through legitimate channels. Notably, the Roshan Digital Account and the Sohni Dharti program have gained immense popularity among expatriates. Sohni Dharti, a loyalty program for those sending money back to Pakistan via authorized banking channels or exchange companies, enables the redemption of points for services such as passport and Nadra card renewals, customs duties, PIA ticket purchases, and increased baggage allowances.

Faisal Niaz Tirmizi, Pakistan's Ambassador to the UAE, highlighted the significance of the UAE as a remittance market, particularly due to its sizable Pakistani diaspora, which sends billions of dirhams annually. In September 2023, total remittances to Pakistan hit $2.2 billion, with substantial contributions from various countries, including Saudi Arabia, the UAE, the UK, and the US.

The ambassador emphasized the potential for a significant increase in remittances and discussed the Sohni Dharti mobile app, available in English and Urdu, as a tool for remitters to monitor their transactions and earn redeemable points for accessing free services at multiple public service entities.

The rewards for legally remitting funds include benefits such as PIA tickets, extra baggage allowances, duty payments for imported goods, document renewal fees, insurance premiums, school fees, and utility store purchases. Remitters accrue reward points based on different tiers and the remittance amount, ranging from Green to Diamond categories.