National Real Estate News

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan is preparing to inaugurate 16 major road infrastructure projects, including upgrades to sections of the Grand Trunk Road, national highways, motorways, interchanges and dual carriageways, as several schemes being implemented by the National Highway Authority (NHA) enter their final stages of completion.
Progress on the projects was reviewed at a high-level meeting on NHA schemes chaired by Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif at the Prime Minister House in Islamabad.
Officials informed the meeting that work on a number of strategically important transport projects was nearing completion and that the schemes were expected to be ready for inauguration in the near future.
Among the major projects approaching completion are the upgrading of the GT Road section from Tee Chowk, Islamabad, to Banth, the remodelling of Islamabad’s Chungi No. 26 Interchange and the extension of Margalla Avenue from GT Road to Motorway M-1.
The portfolio also includes upgrading work on the Pindi Bhattian-Faisalabad section of Motorway M-4, the Quetta Western Bypass, Pindi Gheb-Jand Road and the Bhong Interchange on the Multan-Sukkur Motorway M-5.
Other schemes include construction of the Nokundi-Mashkhel Road, conversion of Old Bannu Road into a dual carriageway and improvement of multiple sections of the Indus Highway, N-55.
The N-55 projects include upgrading of the Sehwan-San and Ratodero-Shikarpur sections as well as development of an additional carriageway on the Pataro-Sindh section.
The meeting was informed that NHA had also strengthened its financial position, with annual revenue increasing from Rs 109 billion to Rs 130 billion during the previous fiscal year.
Revenue is projected to rise further to approximately Rs 160 billion during the current fiscal year, providing the authority with greater capacity to finance infrastructure schemes through its own resources.
Several major projects are being financed from NHA-generated revenue, including the Sialkot-Kharian Motorway M-12, Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway M-13, Peshawar Northern Bypass and reconstruction of the Jaglot-Skardu Road.
NHA resources are also being utilised for upgrading Motorway M-4 and improvement of the Multan-Lodhran section of National Highway N-5.
Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed authorities to ensure third-party audits of all ongoing NHA development projects to improve transparency, construction quality and accountability.
He also instructed relevant institutions to formulate a comprehensive strategy for developing national highways, motorways and expressways under public-private partnership arrangements.
The government is looking to increase private-sector participation in transport infrastructure as part of efforts to accelerate project delivery while reducing pressure on public finances.
Officials also briefed the meeting about several projects expected to be launched in the coming period, including the Kharian-Rawalpindi Motorway M-13 and the long-awaited Sukkur-Hyderabad Motorway M-6.
Rehabilitation and reconstruction of various stretches of GT Road and National Highway N-5 are also included in the upcoming development programme.
The government is additionally examining the proposed Guru Nanak Expressway, which would provide a direct transport connection between Kartarpur and Nankana Sahib, two major religious destinations associated with Sikh heritage.
Another major proposal under consideration is the Mansehra-Chilas Expressway through Naran. Officials said the project could reduce the road distance between Mansehra and Chilas by around 146 kilometres, significantly improving travel between Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Gilgit-Baltistan.
Prime Minister Shehbaz said modern and efficient transport connections were critical for economic growth, trade and regional development.
He directed authorities to give priority to improving connectivity between remote parts of the country and major urban and commercial centres.
According to the prime minister, improved highway and motorway infrastructure would not only facilitate passenger and freight movement but would also help stimulate investment, business activity and employment opportunities in less-developed regions.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
Punjab’s Special Economic Zones (SEZs) attracted proposed investment of more than Rs 76 billion during September 2026 after authorities approved 34 applications for new industrial enterprises, potentially creating more than 7,000 jobs across the province.
According to the Special Investment Facilitation Council (SIFC), the approvals were granted following coordinated efforts involving the Punjab government, Punjab Special Economic Zones Authority (SEZA), Faisalabad Industrial Estate Development and Management Company (FIEDMC) and Punjab Industrial Estates Development and Management Company (PIEDMC).
The approved applications relate to industrial projects proposed across different special economic zones in Punjab and include matters involving land allocation as well as other regulatory and administrative approvals that had remained pending.
The proposed projects cover several major industrial sectors, including textiles, ceramics, chemicals, agricultural processing and engineering, indicating a diversified pipeline of manufacturing and value-added investment in the province.
Authorities expect the planned projects, once implemented, to strengthen Punjab’s industrial base, increase production capacity and generate employment opportunities for thousands of workers.
However, the investment amount of more than Rs 76 billion and the estimated creation of over 7,000 jobs represent the potential associated with the approved projects rather than investment already deployed or employment already generated.
The approvals form part of broader efforts by SIFC and provincial authorities to facilitate investors by resolving procedural bottlenecks, accelerating land allotments and streamlining regulatory approvals for enterprises seeking to establish operations in designated economic zones.
SIFC has been coordinating with SEZA Punjab and the two industrial estate development companies to expedite pending applications and address delays faced by prospective investors in completing administrative and land-related requirements.
Special Economic Zones are intended to promote industrialisation by providing designated areas for manufacturing and other commercial activities, supported by dedicated infrastructure and investment facilitation mechanisms.
The latest approvals are expected to help advance industrial projects already in the pipeline and could contribute to higher private-sector investment, increased economic activity and employment generation in Punjab if the proposed ventures move into the implementation and operational stages.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The federal government has accelerated plans to establish Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centres in Azad Jammu and Kashmir (AJK) and Gilgit-Baltistan (GB), while also exploring the use of existing government buildings and centrally located public properties for expanding the citizen facilitation network across the country.
Federal Minister for Economic Affairs and Establishment Division Senator Ahad Cheema chaired a high-level meeting to review progress on the proposed centres in AJK and GB and examine different operational and infrastructure models for extending the initiative to additional cities.
During the meeting, the minister directed the chief secretaries of AJK and GB to immediately initiate the tendering process for establishing the centres in accordance with the prime minister’s instructions.
He assured the two administrations that the federal government would provide the required funding for development of the facilities.
The chief secretaries of AJK and GB, who participated in the meeting virtually, agreed to proceed with the tendering process.
Cheema stressed that implementation should be accelerated so that the projects could move forward without unnecessary delays.
A significant part of the meeting focused on the physical infrastructure and property requirements associated with expanding the Asaan Khidmat Centre network.
Officials discussed the possibility of utilising centrally located post offices and other existing government buildings in major cities for providing Asaan Khidmat services, potentially reducing the need to acquire or construct entirely new facilities.
The minister directed officials to conduct a feasibility assessment of the proposal, examining whether existing state-owned buildings could be adapted or renovated to accommodate multiple public-service departments under one roof.
No final decision, however, was taken regarding the use of these properties.
The government is also considering several operational models for future centres.
Under one proposed hybrid model, the government would provide the building or service facility while a private-sector company would manage day-to-day operations.
A second option involves a fully private model under which the government would issue a licence to a private operator, which would be responsible for arranging the premises as well as managing the centre.
The third model would involve complete government ownership and operation of the facility.
Cheema directed officials to prepare a detailed feasibility study assessing the financial, administrative and operational implications of the proposed models and submit recommendations to the prime minister for consideration.
The meeting also discussed the financial sustainability of the centres, particularly the cost of maintaining premises, utilities and other infrastructure.
The minister called for examining a revenue-sharing mechanism involving departments providing services at the centres, including the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA) and the Directorate General of Immigration and Passports.
He said departments benefiting from the facilities should contribute towards operational expenses because the government provides the buildings, utilities and supporting infrastructure required for delivery of their services.
Cheema also stressed that any private-sector participation must include a transparent revenue-sharing arrangement and safeguards to prevent operators from imposing additional charges on citizens.
He said the purpose of the initiative was to make government services more accessible and convenient and that the cost of operating the centres should not result in an additional financial burden on the public.
The minister expressed satisfaction with the performance and public response to the Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centre operating in Islamabad’s G-9 area and directed authorities to further improve its facilities and service delivery.
The expansion of the programme is expected to increase demand for suitable government premises, renovation works, service infrastructure and purpose-built public facilitation spaces as the model is extended to AJK, GB and other urban centres.
Pakistan Asaan Khidmat Centre operates as a one-stop citizen facilitation facility, bringing more than 60 government services under one roof.
Services available through the centres include passport-related facilities, NADRA services, domicile certificates and registration of births and deaths, among other public services.
Federal Minister for Information Technology and Telecommunication Shaza Fatima Khawaja, Secretary Inter-Provincial Coordination Mohyuddin Wani, Secretary Communications Ali Sher Masood, representatives of the Ministry of Finance, chief secretaries of AJK and GB, officials of the Prime Minister’s Office and other senior government officials attended the meeting.
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Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Ravi Urban Development Authority (RUDA) has published lists identifying a total of 152 cancelled residential plots in Chahar Bagh I and Chahar Bagh Enclave, prompting buyers and investors to verify the current status of any plot directly with the authority before entering into a transaction.

According to the published details, Chahar Bagh I accounts for 114 of the cancelled plots, comprising 10 marla and one kanal residential plots located in Blocks A, D, D-Extension and E.

A further 38 cancelled plots have been listed in Chahar Bagh Enclave, including 3, 5, 7 and 10 marla plots situated in Blocks B, C and D.

The publication of the lists is significant for Lahore’s property resale market because a cancelled plot carries a different legal status from a plot with unpaid instalments or other active allotment issues.

Prospective buyers have been cautioned that a dealer advertisement, an old allotment letter or a previous payment receipt should not be treated as sufficient proof that an allotment remains active. RUDA’s latest official records are the primary source for confirming the current validity of a plot.

The published cancellation lists do not specify the individual reason for cancellation of each plot and also do not state whether a cancelled plot may be restored after payment of outstanding dues or fulfilment of other requirements.

Buyers and investors have therefore been advised not to assume that restoration is automatic or that a cancelled plot is permanently unavailable. Any restoration claim should be verified directly with RUDA before a resale transaction is completed or a market premium is calculated.

The distinction is important for the property market because cancellation affects the underlying validity of an allotment, while market premium refers only to the amount paid above or below the original value of an active allotment in the resale market.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The Punjab government has prepared a comprehensive plan to expand biogas production across the province by converting livestock waste into locally produced energy, while the Energy Department has sent a summary to the provincial cabinet seeking approval for private investment in commercial scale biogas projects.

Under the proposed framework, private investors would be allowed to invest in, operate and generate commercial returns from biogas projects, with the government seeking to use private sector participation to expand the technology across different parts of Punjab, particularly rural areas.

The programme is also expected to cover dairy farms, community level biogas plants and eligible households, allowing livestock waste to be converted into usable energy while helping meet local fuel requirements.

The provincial government aims to promote biogas as an alternative energy source to reduce dependence on imported fuels and provide relatively affordable energy solutions, particularly in rural communities with large livestock populations.

A four point programme involving biogas digesters has also been developed to support production at household, community and commercial levels.

Areas with high livestock concentrations and large volumes of organic waste are expected to receive particular attention under the initiative, allowing waste that would otherwise remain unused to be converted into biogas and other useful energy products.

Opening commercial biogas projects to private investment could create new opportunities in Punjab’s renewable energy sector while also providing dairy and livestock businesses with additional avenues to generate value from animal waste.

Following approval by the provincial cabinet, the government is expected to finalise the investment framework, operational models and other conditions governing private sector participation in commercial biogas projects.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Gulf investors have increased their exposure to Pakistan, investing nearly $150 million in government bonds and treasury bills during the first 25 days of September 2026, according to official data.

The United Arab Emirates accounted for the largest share of the inflows, with UAE based investors placing around $115 million in Pakistani government securities during the period.

Investors from Bahrain contributed approximately $24 million, while other Gulf countries collectively invested around $10 million, reflecting a broader increase in regional interest in Pakistan’s financial assets.

Finance Ministry officials said relatively high yields on government securities, attractive returns and improving macroeconomic stability had helped restore confidence among foreign investors, particularly those from Gulf economies.

According to officials, the rising level of foreign participation indicates that Pakistan is regaining attention as an investment market in the region, although the sustainability of these inflows will depend on continued economic stability, exchange rate conditions, interest rates and policy consistency.

The renewed Gulf interest in Pakistan’s financial markets could also have wider implications for investment in real estate and other asset classes. A sustained improvement in investor confidence may create stronger prospects for Gulf capital to move into housing, commercial property, tourism, infrastructure and other long term projects.

Pakistan’s real estate sector has traditionally attracted interest from overseas Pakistanis and investors linked to Gulf markets. Further improvements in regulatory transparency, digitisation of property records and investment facilitation could strengthen the case for foreign participation in large residential, commercial and mixed use developments.

However, the nearly $150 million recorded during September represents investment in government securities rather than direct real estate investment. Any subsequent increase in property investment would depend on separate investment decisions, project viability, regulatory conditions and expected returns.

The latest inflows are significant because investors from the UAE, Saudi Arabia, Bahrain and other Gulf economies have the capacity to deploy capital across infrastructure, energy, tourism and property. Greater confidence in Pakistan’s financial markets could therefore provide a foundation for broader and longer term Gulf investment in real assets if favourable conditions are sustained.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
A three day Saudi real estate exhibition showcasing property projects and investment opportunities across the Kingdom is set to take place in Islamabad from October 23 to 25, 2026, offering Pakistani investors direct exposure to Saudi Arabia’s expanding property market.

The exhibition is aimed at connecting Pakistani investors, businesspeople and real estate professionals with Saudi developers and other stakeholders while providing information about residential, commercial and other property investment opportunities in the Kingdom.

The event is being organised by the Federation of Saudi Chambers through the Saudi-Pakistani Business Council. The Eastern Province Chamber of Commerce has also circulated official invitations among its members for participation in the exhibition.

The deadline for companies and exhibitors seeking to participate in the event was September 27, indicating that the initial phase of exhibitor registration has already concluded.

The initiative is expected to contribute to strengthening economic, business and investment ties between Pakistan and Saudi Arabia while giving Pakistani investors greater access to information about opportunities emerging in the Saudi property market.

The exhibition comes as Saudi Arabia continues to undertake major residential, commercial, tourism and urban development projects, creating new opportunities for local and international investors across different segments of the real estate sector.

Unlike many overseas property exhibitions that primarily promote Pakistani real estate projects to foreign investors, the Islamabad event will bring Saudi property offerings directly to prospective investors in Pakistan.

Potential investors and buyers are advised to conduct appropriate due diligence before committing funds, including verifying the developer behind a project, the authorisation of representatives or agents, payment arrangements and the rules governing foreign property ownership in the relevant city or region of Saudi Arabia.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s salaried class paid around Rs 144 billion in income tax during the first quarter of fiscal year 2026-27, significantly exceeding the combined tax contribution of retailers and the real estate sector, according to provisional data from the Federal Board of Revenue (FBR).
During the July-September quarter, combined income tax payments from the retail and real estate sectors stood at approximately Rs 54 billion, around Rs 90 billion lower than the amount collected from salaried individuals.
The figures highlight a widening gap in tax contributions among major segments of the economy, with salaried taxpayers continuing to provide a substantially larger share of income tax revenue despite measures announced by the government to broaden the tax base.
FBR data showed that income tax collections from the real estate sector declined by 38% year-on-year to Rs 35.2 billion during the first three months of the current fiscal year. The decline followed the government’s decision to substantially reduce advance tax rates applicable to property sales and purchases.
Tax collected on property sales fell by 42% to Rs 23 billion, compared with Rs 39.5 billion during the corresponding period of the previous year. Similarly, tax collection from property purchases declined by 31% to Rs 12.2 billion from Rs 17.7 billion a year earlier.
Under the revised taxation regime, the advance tax rate on property purchases was reduced from 2.5% to 1.25%. For property sales, the previous tax structure involving three slabs was replaced with a single rate of 2.75%, compared with the earlier rate of up to 5.5%.
The reductions were introduced as part of the government’s fiscal measures and were endorsed under Pakistan’s programme with the International Monetary Fund. The latest revenue figures indicate that the lower advance tax rates have had a significant impact on collections from property transactions.
The real estate sector had contributed around Rs 200 billion in income tax during fiscal year 2023-24, while its contribution increased to Rs 236 billion in fiscal year 2025-26 before the latest reductions in property transaction taxes took effect.
Tax receipts from wholesalers and retailers, meanwhile, showed limited growth during the first quarter. Withholding tax collections from the two segments totalled Rs 18.4 billion, increasing by only Rs 244 million, or approximately 1.3%, from the same period last year.
Wholesalers contributed Rs 6.2 billion, representing a 10% year-on-year decline, while retailers paid around Rs 11.3 billion, an increase of 8.3%.
The relatively modest increase came despite government efforts to bring more retailers into the tax net, including the introduction of a fixed taxation mechanism aimed at increasing revenue from the country’s large wholesale and retail economy.
In contrast, income tax collected from salaried individuals increased by Rs 13.4 billion, or 10.2%, during the July-September quarter compared with the corresponding period last year.
The annual tax contribution of salaried workers has also risen sharply in recent years. According to official figures, collections from salaried taxpayers increased from around Rs 391 billion before Pakistan entered its current IMF programme to Rs 629 billion by the end of June 2026.
The government has maintained that the latest federal budget provided approximately Rs 52 billion in relief to salaried taxpayers through reductions in income tax rates of up to three percentage points, abolition of the 9% surcharge and an increase in the annual income threshold for application of the maximum 35% tax rate from Rs 4.1 million to Rs 7 million.
Despite these measures, salaried households continue to face pressure from higher energy and living costs. The government is currently passing movements in international oil prices on to consumers while imposing a petroleum levy of Rs 80 per litre and a climate support levy of Rs 5 per litre.
Higher fuel costs can also feed into transportation and production expenses, adding pressure to the prices of food and other essential goods.
The latest tax figures come against the backdrop of repeated government commitments to expand Pakistan’s tax base and reduce disproportionate reliance on documented taxpayers. Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has previously pledged to ease the burden on salaried workers as more sectors are brought effectively into the tax system.
However, the first-quarter figures indicate that tax revenue from salaried individuals continues to rise, while collections linked to property transactions have fallen substantially and revenue growth from the wholesale and retail sectors remains limited.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
The Islamabad High Court has declared unlawful a blanket administrative restriction on the sale, purchase, registration and mutation of property in parts of Islamabad’s Zone III, directing the relevant authorities to process lawful property transactions in accordance with applicable law and prescribed procedures.

The judgment covers Shah Allah Ditta, Sangjani, Sara e Kharbooza and other similarly situated localities in Zone III, where property transactions had been halted through administrative directions.

Justice Muhammad Asif issued the ruling while allowing a petition filed by resident Fazal Abbas. The court held that the blanket restriction, based on a Capital Development Authority letter and verbal directions from the deputy commissioner, had been imposed without a statutory notification or clear legal authority.

The restriction had originally been introduced as part of efforts to curb illegal housing schemes, unauthorized construction and prohibited changes in land use. However, the court found that the broad administrative ban had also affected ordinary landowners whose individual properties and transactions had no connection with illegal housing activity.

The court observed that authorities should proceed against actual violators rather than impose indiscriminate restrictions on every property owner in an affected locality. It ruled that lawful owners could not be denied registration or mutation simply because their property was situated in an area where unrelated illegal activity might also be taking place.

The IHC directed the authorities to regulate property transactions in accordance with the Capital Development Authority Ordinance 1960, the Islamabad Capital Territory Zoning Regulations 1992 and other applicable laws.

At the same time, the court made clear that the ruling does not legalize illegal housing schemes, unauthorized subdivisions, prohibited land-use changes or unlawful construction in Zone III. The CDA and district administration retain their powers to take action against such violations where a lawful basis exists.

The practical effect of the judgment is that legitimate private landowners can no longer be denied registration or mutation solely because their property falls within a wider locality subject to planning and enforcement concerns.

The ruling is particularly significant for Shah Allah Ditta and other areas around the Margalla foothills, where ancestral private land, agricultural holdings and residential properties coexist with strict planning, zoning and environmental restrictions.

Following the judgment, the office of the deputy commissioner and commissioner revenue Islamabad also moved to withdraw the restrictions and directed relevant revenue officials to make administrative arrangements for implementation of the court’s order.

Prospective buyers and investors, however, will still need to verify title, zoning status, permitted land use and other relevant approvals before entering into a transaction. Removal of the blanket transfer restriction does not provide automatic legal status to unauthorized housing schemes or constructions.