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Property is at the heart of everything we do at Chakor. This section brings together listings, insights, market analysis, and expert perspectives on Pakistan’s property landscape, helping buyers, sellers, and investors navigate one of the country’s most dynamic asset classes.

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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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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 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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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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GIS-Based Property Tax Survey
CategoriesNews Economy Property Property Taxes Tax

Punjab Rolls Out GIS-Based Property Tax Survey After 12 Years

LAHORE: The Punjab Excise, Taxation and Narcotics Control Department has initiated the province’s first comprehensive property tax survey in over a decade, marking a significant step toward closing gaps in tax collection and curbing widespread evasion.

Department officials confirmed that the initiative will rely on a modern Geographic Information System (GIS)-based digital mapping platform, designed to identify properties that currently fall outside the tax net or are being assessed below their actual value.

The survey draws on records supplied by the Punjab Land Records Authority, integrating land data with tax rolls to create a more accurate picture of the province’s real estate landscape.

As a pilot, the department has begun work in Lahore’s Zone 13, an area where nearly 80,000 property units are already registered with taxpayers. Officials anticipate the exercise will bring an additional 20,000 units in that zone alone into the formal tax system, as the digital mapping process uncovers unassessed and underassessed properties.

The scale of the challenge is considerable. Lahore currently has more than 900,000 property units paying tax, while over 2.5 million units are registered as taxpayers across Punjab as a whole. The Excise Department’s broader records list more than 4.5 million taxable and non-taxable property units throughout the province, underscoring the potential for expanded revenue collection.

Officials said the GIS-based survey will be extended across Punjab in phases, contingent on the allocation of necessary funding. The initiative is expected to play a central role in helping the department meet its property tax collection target of Rs. 42 billion for the current fiscal year.

The move follows recent enforcement efforts in the province, including a crackdown that saw dozens of properties sealed in Lahore, reflecting a broader push by authorities to strengthen tax compliance and transparency in the real estate sector.

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Minors' Property Rights
CategoriesNews Economy Property Property Laws

FCC Lays Down Guidelines to Protect Minors’ Property Rights

ISLAMABAD: The Federal Constitutional Court (FCC) has issued a comprehensive set of guiding principles directing civil and revenue courts nationwide to exercise greater diligence in cases involving the property and inheritance rights of minors, marking a significant step toward strengthening legal protections for vulnerable parties in litigation.

In a detailed judgement authored by Chief Justice Aminuddin Khan, a three-member bench also comprising Justice Ali Baqar Najafi and Justice Syed Arshad Hussain Shah ruled that courts must identify at the very outset of proceedings whether any litigant is a minor, and thereafter strictly adhere to Order XXXII of the Code of Civil Procedure, 1908, which governs suits involving minors.

The ruling arose from a long-running property dispute in Bahawalnagar, where a widow, Bushra Bibi, had contested a compromise decree on the grounds that minors involved in the settlement had not been afforded adequate legal safeguards. 

While a revisional court had initially sided with her in 2017, the Lahore High Court’s Bahawalpur Bench reversed that decision in December 2024. The FCC has now set aside the High Court’s order and reinstated the revisional court’s findings, once again affirming the rights of the minor children and a parda nasheen woman involved in the case.

Among the newly issued guidelines, the court held that guardians appointed for minors must have no conflicts of interest, and that any compromise affecting a minor’s property must be independently verified by the court as lawful and in the child’s best interests. 

Courts have also been instructed to apply heightened scrutiny in cases involving illiterate or otherwise vulnerable parties, and to avoid hasty rulings that could compromise the welfare of minors.

The court remarked that a judicial decree cannot validate an agreement inherently flawed under law, underscoring its intent to reinforce accountability across Pakistan’s judicial system.

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