Malakand : [Mansoor Ahmad District Coordinator ReNews Pakistan] The real estate market in Malakand District is witnessing a shift toward documented stability, as buyer interest remains steady, supported by connectivity through the Swat Motorway. However, rapid speculation has slowed significantly due to increased monitoring of cash transactions by the FBR and the IMF. Investors are now prioritizing verifiable land and ready to move housing over speculative projects. In local markets, commercial plots near Batkhela are averaging approximately PKR 76,000 per marla. In the Thana area, residential plots measuring 10 to 13 marlas are trading between PRS 3 million and PKR 4 million. Recent transactions in Batkhela have also recorded raw land prices at around Rs 280 per square foot, reflecting a cautious but active market. Furthermore, the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa government has tightened regulations on construction near riverbanks across the Malakand Division. Commercial NOCs for projects close to rivers remain suspended or heavily regulated to ensure compliance with flood safety standards. The move aims to prevent illegal development in high risk zones. Experts suggest that while nationwide macroeconomic tightening has cooled the market, Malakand’s strategic location continues to offer long term value for genuine buyers and residents.

Malakand : [Mansoor Ahmad, District Coordinator, ReNews Pakistan] The Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Revenue Authority has launched a comprehensive campaign across Malakand district and the Mardan region to identify and register unregistered housing societies. The initiative aims to bring major real estate projects into the formal tax net to ensure transparency, legal compliance and improved revenue collection. KPRA teams have started field visits to verify the registration status of various housing and development schemes. In a parallel development, special investment incentives have been announced for the Dargai Industrial Zone. Investors can benefit from tax free status and up to 27 percent savings on electricity costs. In addition, a 25 percent rebate is being offered to industries that become operational within the first year of establishment, making the area an attractive destination for commercial growth. Real estate experts say that with the enforcement of the Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Housing Schemes Regulations 2024, developers are now required to comply with official standards. They added that due to Malakand’s strategic location near CPEC connected routes, demand for residential and commercial properties in the district has increased by more than 60 percent. The administration has advised citizens to verify the registration status of any housing scheme from the relevant Tehsil Municipal Administration before purchasing a plot to avoid possible legal complications.