Islamabad Capital Territory

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) is revamping the regulatory framework for Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) to make property investment more accessible to ordinary investors and bring a larger share of Pakistan’s estimated Rs 7 trillion real estate sector into regulated capital-market structures.
SECP Chairman Dr. Kabir Ahmed Sidhu said the proposed reforms are designed to make REITs more commercially viable, investable and accessible, allowing the public to participate in the growth of the real estate market without having to purchase an entire plot, apartment or commercial building.
He made the remarks at a gong ceremony held at the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX) to mark the listing of the Naya Nazimabad Apartment REIT.
Finance and Revenue Minister Senator Muhammad Aurangzeb attended the ceremony as chief guest, while State Bank of Pakistan Governor Jameel Ahmad, senior government officials, PSX representatives and officials from Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited, Javedan Corporation, Central Depository Company and other capital-market institutions were also present. Prime Minister Muhammad Shehbaz Sharif participated in the event virtually.
Dr. Sidhu said REITs could play an important role in documenting Pakistan’s real estate sector, improving transparency and creating regulated investment opportunities for a broader segment of the population.
Under the REIT structure, investors can obtain exposure to income-generating or development-oriented real estate through investment units rather than directly purchasing and managing physical property. The model can potentially lower the entry barrier for investors seeking participation in the property market.
The SECP chairman said the Commission was introducing significant reforms and investment facilitation measures for the REIT sector. Amendments to various regulations have been proposed to improve ease of doing business, remove regulatory hurdles and support further development of the market.
He also said proposed amendments to insurance and company laws were currently under consideration by Parliament, while further changes had been proposed to the regulatory framework governing the non-banking financial sector.
Highlighting broader capital market developments, Dr. Sidhu said 13 initial public offerings (IPOs) had raised Rs 26 billion during 2026 so far. Companies from manufacturing, agriculture, real estate, energy and technology sectors have raised capital through the stock market.
According to the SECP chairman, improved access to the capital market has contributed to a 36 percent increase in the number of investors. He said the Commission had also made progress during the past eight months in regulatory reforms, digitalization and market development.
The SECP is continuing to digitalize its regulatory processes and simplify compliance requirements, with improved market access identified as one of its key priorities.
Dr. Sidhu said the regulator was enforcing applicable laws to strengthen market transparency and investor protection while facilitating legitimate businesses, innovation and sustainable growth.
The latest REIT reforms come as policymakers seek to expand formal investment channels for Pakistan’s property sector and increase the role of capital markets in mobilizing funds for real estate development.
Clarify the reform status

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The National Highway Authority (NHA) will engage foreign engineering experts to improve highway design, strengthen road engineering standards and align future road projects with modern international practices, Communications Minister Abdul Aleem Khan has directed.
The minister issued the instructions during a high-level meeting that reviewed the NHA’s ongoing and proposed development projects, revenue generation, road safety measures, development programmes and financial matters.
Abdul Aleem Khan expressed reservations over the design of the M-4 and certain other highways, stressing that road infrastructure should provide motorists with safer and more comfortable journeys. He said protection of human life must remain the foremost priority in the planning and construction of highways.
The minister directed NHA engineering teams to study and adopt international best practices in highway planning and design. He also ordered officials to strengthen engineering standards for new road projects so that safety considerations are incorporated from the design stage rather than addressed only after construction.
The meeting was informed that the NHA administers only 3.13% of Pakistan’s total road network, yet more than 80% of the country’s traffic travels on roads under its management. The figures highlighted the strategic importance of improving the safety, quality and capacity of the national highway network.
Officials also briefed the minister on financing arrangements for the M-6 Motorway, development schemes being executed under the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) and NHA projects in all four provinces.
The minister was further informed that the NHA has achieved its revenue enhancement target set two years ago. He said revenue generated through existing sources should be utilised to support the construction of new roads and strengthen the authority’s development capacity.
The meeting also decided to approach the federal government for Rs108 billion in funding for NHA projects in Balochistan. The proposed funding is aimed at supporting road infrastructure development in the province and improving connectivity across its strategically important corridors.
The planned engagement of foreign experts is expected to provide technical input into highway engineering and design standards, while the NHA’s focus on road safety could influence the planning of future motorways and major highways across Pakistan. Improved road connectivity and safer infrastructure can also enhance access to commercial centres, industrial areas and emerging residential and property developments along major transport corridors.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The government has introduced the E-Filing Rules 2026 to facilitate overseas Pakistanis involved in property and other legal disputes, establishing a digital mechanism through which petitions, documents and court proceedings can be handled electronically.
The new framework is expected to provide greater ease to overseas Pakistanis dealing with property related litigation in Pakistan, particularly those who face difficulties travelling to the country for repeated court appearances and procedural requirements.
Under the rules, eligible overseas litigants will be able to submit petitions, applications and supporting documents electronically before designated special courts. The system is designed to reduce reliance on physical filing and enable litigants to pursue cases remotely.
The rules also provide for video-link hearings, allowing overseas Pakistanis to participate in court proceedings without necessarily being physically present in Pakistan. This facility could be particularly relevant in property disputes, where owners residing abroad may need to remain involved in proceedings concerning land, residential plots, houses, commercial properties and other immovable assets.
Another key feature of the framework is the use of electronic notices. Designated courts will be able to communicate notices to overseas litigants digitally, while judgments and decrees will also be uploaded to the relevant online portal for electronic access.
The rules establish procedures for preserving electronic evidence and maintaining court records in digital form, creating a structured framework for handling documents and evidence submitted through the online system.
At the same time, the government has retained safeguards for cases where digital filing is not possible. Paper based filing will remain available in such circumstances, while an alternative mechanism will also operate during disruptions or technical failures in the online system.
The government says the new system is intended to improve access to justice for overseas Pakistanis by reducing physical visits, streamlining procedural requirements and expanding digital access to court services.
For overseas property owners, the framework could make it easier to pursue or defend property claims from abroad while maintaining access to official court records, notices, evidence and final decisions through digital channels.