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CategoriesNews Economy Tax

FBR Slashes Exporters’ Tax Rate From 2pc to 1.25pc

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has cut the tax rate applicable to exporters from 2 percent to 1.25 percent, as part of a wider tax relief package worth Rs361 billion extended during the current fiscal year, officials informed a Senate panel on Monday.

The disclosure was made during a briefing to the Senate Standing Committee on Finance’s subcommittee, chaired by Pakistan Peoples Party Senator Talha Mahmood. FBR representatives told the committee that the rate cut for exporters was intended to ease the cost of doing business and encourage greater investment, noting that the prime minister had separately approved Rs80 billion in dedicated relief for the export sector.

Addressing concerns that Pakistan’s tax burden could push multinational companies to scale back or exit the country, FBR officials maintained that prevailing rates were unlikely to trigger a significant outflow of investment, and indicated that further reductions would be considered in the years ahead.

The briefing also touched on broader reforms carried out in recent years, including reduced taxation for salaried individuals and the lowering or abolition of the super tax, which officials said had provided around Rs55 billion in relief. 

The corporate tax rate for non-banking companies currently stands at 29 percent, while a faceless assessment system has been introduced this year to limit direct interaction between taxpayers and tax officials.

Officials further told the committee that no businessperson had faced arrest or an FIR over tax matters during the year, and that dedicated committees had been set up to resolve concerns raised by the business community. Taxpayers, they added, could avoid audit proceedings by clearing dues, and filers now have the option to revise submitted returns.

Senator Mahmood, meanwhile, voiced displeasure over the finance secretary’s absence from the meeting, saying he would pursue a privilege motion and raise the matter with the prime minister.

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CategoriesNews Urban Developments & Planning

CDA Approves 37 Projects Covering 6.69 Million Sq Ft in Islamabad

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has approved 37 commercial and residential projects covering more than 6.69 million square feet across the Islamabad Capital Territory during 2026.

According to CDA, its Building and Housing Control Wing, through the Design Vetting Committee, reviewed 42 commercial projects during seven meetings held this year and granted approval to 37 of them.

The approved developments include commercial and apartment buildings, mixed-use projects, offices, hostels, five mosques and one school. Together, the projects comprise 721 commercial units, 1,981 residential flats and 362 office units, with a total covered area of 6,690,580 square feet.

CDA said it is also working to streamline procedures for building-plan approvals, completion certificates and other regulatory permissions in the housing sector.

The authority said these processes will continue to be implemented in accordance with the ICT Building Control Regulations 2023, with safety and security requirements remaining part of the approval framework.

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Source: Business Recorder

CategoriesNews Construction Developments Economy Property Property Laws Real Estate Investment

Cabinet Approves National Housing Policy 2026, Endorses New Cybersecurity Framework

ISLAMABAD: The federal cabinet, chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif, has approved the National Housing Policy 2026 together with a corresponding implementation plan. Under the policy, housing projects will be required to fully observe zoning regulations, with priority given to vertical construction to improve land-use efficiency. 

Officials noted the policy was drafted with input from local and international experts, along with federal, provincial, and development-sector stakeholders, aiming to ensure sustainable and quality housing nationwide. Energy-efficiency standards have also been folded into the policy framework to align new construction with environmental goals.

The cabinet was additionally briefed on the Apna Ghar housing scheme, revealing that banks have sanctioned loans worth Rs220 billion for prospective homeowners, of which more than Rs32 billion has already been disbursed.

In a separate move, the cabinet approved withdrawing Pakistan’s earlier notice to terminate its 1981 bilateral investment treaty with Sweden, based on a summary presented by the Board of Investment.

On the technology front, the Ministry of Information Technology introduced the draft Pakistan Information Security Framework 2026 (PISF 2026), developed under the CERT Rules 2023. The framework is designed to establish unified baseline cybersecurity standards with centralized oversight. The cabinet approved it as a key policy document and directed its timely implementation.

Further ratifications included proposed amendments to the Pakistan Oil Refining Policy 2023, aimed at upgrading refineries to strengthen energy supply, along with decisions made during recent Economic Coordination Committee and Cabinet Committee on Legislative Cases meetings.

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Source: DAWN

Regulate Evacuee Property Management
CategoriesNews Property

Sindh Government Moves to Regulate Evacuee Property Management

KARACHI: The Sindh government has moved to bring evacuee properties across the province under direct administrative control, following a decision approved by the Sindh Cabinet. Under the newly sanctioned framework, Deputy Commissioners in every district will be designated as administrators responsible for overseeing, protecting, and managing these properties at the local level.

Officials say the initiative is intended to strengthen governance over state assets that have long been entangled in legal and administrative disputes. By centralising oversight under district administrators, the provincial government hopes to curb illegal occupation, tighten record-keeping, and bring greater transparency to how such properties are handled.

Evacuee properties refer to land and buildings left behind by individuals who migrated during the 1947 Partition. Their management in Sindh currently falls under the Sindh Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) Act, 2019, with additional oversight provided by a dedicated Member for Registration, Stamps and Evacuee Property within the Board of Revenue.

The decision comes amid heightened scrutiny of evacuee property disputes in Karachi, where several cases have drawn public and legal attention in recent months.

Among them, the Sindh High Court in June 2026 examined the disputed status of the Karachi Cotton Association’s historic building, a case that highlighted the need for clearer administrative control and more reliable property records.

Authorities believe empowering Deputy Commissioners as district-level custodians will improve coordination between provincial bodies and local administrations, accelerate decision-making, and reduce encroachment on state land.

The reform is also expected to create a more consistent, accountable system for managing properties that have historically suffered from fragmented oversight.

The provincial government is expected to release detailed implementation guidelines in the coming days, clarifying the specific powers and responsibilities assigned to the newly appointed administrators, as the reform moves from approval toward on-ground execution.

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Source:

CategoriesNews Economy Property Real Estate Real Estate Investment

Rs. 16.44 Billion Raised as Islamabad Auction Enters Final Day

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) collected Rs. 16.44 billion during the opening two days of its ongoing commercial plot auction at Islamabad’s Jinnah Convention Centre, with a third and final round of bidding still ahead. The first day alone brought in Rs. 13.81 billion, while the second added a further Rs. 2.63 billion to the tally.

Tuesday’s proceedings featured strong demand for agricultural land along Murree Road, where Agro Farm No. 18 sold for Rs. 1.212 billion and Agro Farm No. 17-A brought in Rs. 966 million.

Commercial shop units in the Blue Area Parking Plaza also performed well, with three individual units fetching between roughly Rs. 147 million and Rs. 154 million apiece.

Not every offering found a buyer, however. Two commercial plots in Sector C-13, a site that has remained mired in controversy for nearly two decades, failed to attract meaningful bids despite CDA officials anticipating combined proceeds exceeding Rs. 10 billion.

The sector was originally acquired under the 2007 Land Sharing Policy, but many of the original landowners say they are still waiting to be compensated or resettled.

Affected residents have raised objections to CDA continuing to market land from the sector while their claims remain unresolved. According to landowner accounts, the CDA Board approved a plan in 2023 to compensate eligible families with residential plots in the adjacent Sector C-14, and revenue authorities subsequently completed ownership verification.

Despite this, no allotments have reportedly been issued. The dispute has also drawn intervention from the Islamabad High Court, which ordered CDA to settle outstanding compensation, though claimants say that order has yet to be enforced.

The auction is scheduled to conclude on Thursday, with the authority expressing hope that the final day will generate additional revenue from the sale of remaining commercial properties across the capital.

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Source:

CategoriesNews

CDA Cuts Parking Requirement by 25% for Islamabad High-Rises

ISLAMABAD: The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has reduced the mandatory parking requirement for high-rise commercial buildings in Islamabad, lowering it from one space per 750 square feet of covered area to one per 1,000 square feet, effective immediately.

The decision was approved at the 10th CDA Board meeting of FY26, chaired by CDA Chairman and Chief Commissioner Islamabad Sohail Ashraf. Officials said the previous ratio had forced some projects to excavate up to six basement levels to meet parking norms, raising structural and safety concerns for commercial developers.

The Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry, along with builders and developers, had repeatedly pushed for the revision. The authority said the new benchmark brings Islamabad’s parking standards in line with those used by regulatory bodies in other cities, and is expected to ease the approval process for commercial building plans while encouraging fresh construction activity in the capital.

The revised formula also applies to plots offered in CDA’s open commercial auction held August 4-6, as well as future auctions, with the authority confirming that auction terms and conditions have been updated to reflect the change.

Ashraf said CDA would continue introducing facilitative measures to support planned urban development and investment in the federal capital, adding that the relaxed parking norms are intended to directly stimulate high-rise commercial construction in Islamabad going forward.

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CategoriesNews Property Property Laws Real Estate

Punjab Opens First Overseas Land Transfer Desk in London

LAHORE: The Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA), in collaboration with the Board of Revenue Punjab, has inaugurated the province’s first overseas property transfer desk in London, allowing overseas Pakistanis to complete land and property transactions without travelling to Pakistan.

The facility was formally launched at the Pakistan High Commission in London on August 3, 2026, marking the first international expansion of Punjab’s land transfer services for the Pakistani diaspora.

Under the new arrangement, overseas Pakistanis can process property transfers in Punjab through the London desk in a more convenient, secure, and transparent manner. The initiative is designed to simplify documentation requirements and reduce the need for costly and time-consuming travel for land-related transactions.

Officials said the facility aims to enhance transparency, convenience, and innovation in land administration, while ensuring secure record-keeping for the diaspora community.

The PLRA is now preparing to replicate the model in Saudi Arabia and the United Arab Emirates within the next 30 days, extending overseas transfer facilities to two of the largest hubs of Pakistani expatriates.

Authorities said the expansion is part of a broader push to digitise and internationalise Punjab’s land records system, with the goal of strengthening overseas Pakistanis’ confidence in the province’s property regulatory framework and improving the overall efficiency of land-related services beyond the country’s borders.

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CategoriesNews Economy Investment Real Estate Investment

US Business Delegation Wraps Up Karachi Visit, Reviews SIFC-Backed Investment Projects

KARACHI: A high-level United States business delegation wrapped up a two-day visit to Karachi on Sunday, engaging with Sindh’s provincial leadership to assess investment prospects across multiple sectors under the facilitation of the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC).

On the visit’s second day, delegates held meetings with provincial ministers to review opportunities tied to major development initiatives, including the Bin Qasim Industrial Park and Karachi Industrial Park, alongside other proposed schemes designed to expand industrial and commercial output in the province.

The delegation also received briefings on the Sindh Business One-Stop Shop, Keti Bandar Port, the NED Tech Park, and the proposed Sindh International Financial Centre, with provincial officials detailing each project’s scope and investment potential.

A separate session with the Pakistan Business Council broadened the discussion to capital markets, agriculture, textiles, energy, minerals, and healthcare, among other economic segments.

American delegates conveyed confidence in Pakistan’s strengthening investment climate, citing expanding opportunities across industries. Business representatives further stressed that sustained investor confidence hinges on policy continuity and streamlined regulatory procedures, while crediting SIFC’s coordinating role in advancing ongoing investment efforts.

The visit adds to a string of recent engagements aimed at deepening US-Pakistan commercial ties, with Sindh positioning its industrial parks, port infrastructure, and financial-sector projects as key entry points for foreign capital amid the province’s broader push to court international investors.

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Extends Deadline for Chitral-Shandur Highway
CategoriesNews Construction Developments Transport

Government Extends Deadline for Chitral-Shandur Highway to December 2026

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s federal government has fixed December 2026 as the new target date for completing all four construction packages of the Chitral-Booni-Mastuj-Shandur Road, a strategically vital 153-kilometre highway connecting the remote northern district of Chitral to the Shandur Pass region.

According to official documents, the National Highway Authority requires Rs4.20 billion in the 2026-27 fiscal year to stay on track for the revised deadline. Authorities have already disbursed Rs6.59 billion on the project to date, underscoring the scale of investment required for a road that traverses some of the most rugged terrain in the country.

The highway, which passes through Pret, Booni, Mastuj and Shaidas before reaching Shandur, was formally designated National Highway N-140 following its federalisation in May 2020, bringing it under direct federal oversight and funding.

Construction has been divided into four separate packages, and progress across them remains uneven. The first segment, running from Chitral to Pret, leads the pack with 47.54 percent completion.

The second package, from Pret to Booni, has reached 34.77 percent, while the third stretch, connecting Booni to Shaidas, stands at 38.16 percent. The fourth and final package, from Shaidas to Shandur, trails the others at 29.78 percent progress.

Notably, the project was originally scheduled for completion between 2023 and 2024. The repeated delays reflect broader challenges facing infrastructure development in Pakistan’s mountainous north, including difficult terrain, funding constraints and logistical hurdles.

Once completed, the road is expected to significantly improve connectivity for Chitral’s residents, boost regional trade and tourism, and provide a more reliable link to the high-altitude Shandur Pass, home to the world’s highest polo ground.

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Pakistan’s Property Market Gains Momentum
CategoriesNews Economy Property Property Laws Property Taxes Real Estate Real Estate Investment

Pakistan’s Property Market Gains Momentum Amid Tax Cuts and Global Shifts

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan’s real estate sector is witnessing a notable resurgence, with market activity accelerating across major urban centres including Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad. Industry analysts attribute the renewed interest to a combination of domestic tax relief measures and shifting global economic conditions, prompting both local and overseas investors to reconsider property as a preferred asset class.

At the centre of this shift is a reduction in property transaction taxes, which has lowered the overall cost of buying and selling real estate. This adjustment has made the market more accessible to genuine homebuyers as well as investors seeking stable returns. 

Adding to the momentum, the federal government has proposed abolishing Section 7E, a tax provision long criticised by property stakeholders as an unnecessary financial burden on owners. Should this proposal advance, experts anticipate it could further stimulate transaction volumes in the months ahead.

External factors are also playing a role. Rising uncertainty in the Middle East has reportedly prompted a segment of overseas Pakistanis to reassess their international investment holdings, with many turning attention toward established, well-developed housing projects back home as a comparatively secure option.

The combined effect of these dynamics has been reflected in pricing trends, with residential property values in several key cities climbing by an estimated 10 to 15 percent in recent weeks. Analysts note, however, that this growth is uneven, shaped largely by limited inventory in high-demand locations rather than a uniform market-wide surge.

Looking ahead, real estate professionals are calling for continued reform, particularly simplified taxation procedures and modernised land record systems to sustain investor confidence. 

At the same time, experts continue to urge caution, advising buyers to independently verify ownership documentation, project approvals, and development status before committing funds, rather than basing decisions solely on recent price appreciation.

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