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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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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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Punjab Government Pushes Vertical Urban Expansion
CategoriesNews Construction Developments Property Real Estate Urban Developments & Planning

Punjab Government Pushes Vertical Urban Expansion to Meet Housing Demand at Lahore Real Estate Conference

LAHORE: Punjab’s Minister for Housing, Urban Development and Public Health Engineering, Bilal Yaseen, has identified vertical construction as a critical pillar of Pakistan’s urban future, arguing that high-rise development is now indispensable given the country’s expanding population and diminishing land resources.

Speaking at a live podcast session held as part of Pakistan’s first Real Estate CEOs Conference featuring a sitting provincial housing minister, Yaseen said that rising urbanisation pressures leave little alternative to building upward.

He noted that carefully planned high-rise projects allow cities to expand sustainably while making the most of existing infrastructure, and reaffirmed that government policy would prioritise developments meeting modern construction benchmarks to support organised urban growth.

He further underlined the importance of ongoing coordination between government bodies and private developers, suggesting that collaborative policy-making is essential to build investor trust and sustain momentum in the real estate sector.

The conference, organised by Alif Holdings, drew together policymakers, developers, investors and media figures to deliberate on housing policy, urban planning reforms, the investment climate and prospects for public-private partnership.

The discussion was moderated by veteran journalist Mansoor Ali Khan, with television anchors Waseem Badami and Shahzeb Iqbal in attendance alongside senior figures from the real estate industry.

Alif Holdings CEO Ahmed Saljouk described the real estate sector as a significant contributor to Pakistan’s economy, stressing that its long-term prospects hinge on sustained dialogue between industry and government.

He said the conference was designed to give stakeholders a shared platform to raise concerns and shape workable solutions, adding that his company intends to continue hosting similar forums.

Participants at the event echoed calls for more consistent policy frameworks, greater regulatory transparency, and deeper public-private cooperation measures, which they said would be key to strengthening investor confidence and supporting sustainable urban expansion across Pakistan.

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CategoriesNews Property Real Estate Real Estate Investment Urban Developments & Planning

Apna Ghar Scheme Delivers Rs204bn in Approved Housing Finance

ISLAMABAD: Banks have approved housing finance worth Rs204 billion under the Prime Minister’s Apna Ghar Scheme, with Rs27 billion already disbursed to beneficiaries, a high-level review meeting was informed on Tuesday.

Chairing the meeting, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said the scheme was designed to enable low- and middle-income households to own homes, describing affordable housing as one of the government’s foremost priorities.

Officials briefed the meeting that the Ministry of Housing and Works, together with the State Bank of Pakistan, is conducting weekly reviews to track progress and address bottlenecks in implementation.

The prime minister directed authorities to accelerate work on the scheme and called on public and private sector banks to expand financing support, aiming to widen access to housing loans for eligible families.

He further instructed relevant departments to devise a comprehensive strategy for both vertical and horizontal housing developments under the initiative, emphasising the need for practical and sustainable solutions to meet the demands of a growing population.

Reaffirming the government’s commitment to providing shelter for disadvantaged and middle-income citizens, the prime minister stressed that close coordination among all stakeholders remains essential for the scheme’s timely and successful execution.

The meeting was attended by Federal Minister for Finance and Revenue Muhammad Aurangzeb, Federal Minister for Housing and Works Riaz Pirzada, Minister of State for Finance and Railways Bilal Kayani, and senior government officials.

The Apna Ghar Scheme aims to finance 150,000 homes by June 2027, as part of the government’s broader affordable housing agenda.

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CategoriesNews Property Property Laws Property Taxes

Rawalpindi Resumes Property Registrations After Month-Long Suspension, Taxes Revised

RAWALPINDI: Property registration activities for residential and commercial properties have resumed across Rawalpindi Division following a month-long suspension, officials confirmed.

The newly appointed deputy commissioner has retained the previous fiscal year’s property valuation rates for 2026-27, keeping official property values unchanged. Registrations in Rawalpindi city, cantonment, and surrounding areas are now processed through biometric verification alongside the existing online system.

While valuation rates remain steady, several taxes and fees have been increased. Advance tax now stands at 10.5 percent for non-filers and 1.25 percent for filers, while capital gains tax has risen to 11.5 percent for non-filers and 2.75 percent for filers.

Stamp duty remains at one percent of property value, alongside a one percent corporation tax and three percent cantonment board tax. Additional charges include a Rs3,800 Punjab Land Revenue Authority services tax, Rs1,000 registration fee, and Rs1,100 mutation fee, among others.

Officials estimate the suspension resulted in an approximate Rs1.5 billion revenue loss for the government. Biometric verification of both buyer and seller has been made mandatory, and the upgraded online registration system became fully operational on Monday, July 27.

Industry representatives noted that while stable valuation rates benefit buyers, the increased taxes and processing charges are expected to raise overall registration costs by Rs30,000 to Rs50,000 for residential properties and Rs50,000 to Rs125,000 for commercial properties.

Separately, the Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has yet to finalize property tax bills for 2026-27, with dispatch to taxpayers now expected after August 14. District authorities have also ordered the transfer of registry staff at multiple offices following corruption-related complaints.

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Delays in University Road Repairs
CategoriesNews Climate Change Construction Developments Urban Flooding Weather

Delays in University Road Repairs Raise Monsoon Flooding Concerns

KARACHI: Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Chairman Dr Fawad Ahmed has issued a stark warning that a key stretch of Karachi’s University Road could become a serious hazard if monsoon rains arrive before ongoing infrastructure work is completed. Speaking at a press conference held at the Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town Municipal Corporation council hall, Dr Ahmed described the situation as one that could quickly spiral into a full-blown emergency for commuters.

His remarks focused specifically on the segment of road between Hassan Square and Nipa, an area currently undergoing excavation for the Red Line Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) project.

According to Dr Ahmed, the digging has left the roadway riddled with pits and uneven surfaces, posing a significant risk to motorists and pedestrians alike, particularly once heavy rainfall sets in.

The town chairman also used the platform to voice strong opposition to a proposed flyover near Disco Bakery. He argued that the project was both unnecessary and impractical, cautioning that it could intensify traffic congestion rather than relieve it.

He pointed out that a substantial portion of University Road traffic has already been redirected to Shabbir Usmani Road, undermining the rationale for the flyover.

Compounding the issue, Dr Ahmed noted that the K-IV water supply augmentation line is also slated to pass through Shabbir Usmani Road, a factor that would further complicate flyover construction in that corridor.

He said these concerns have already been formally communicated to Karachi’s mayor, and he called on the provincial government to abandon the flyover plan altogether in favour of removing encroachments to improve traffic flow.

Separately, Dr Ahmed presented the town’s performance report for the outgoing period and announced a budget of Rs. 4.7795 billion for the 2026–27 fiscal year, with 75 percent of the allocation directed toward development projects across Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town.

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