National Real Estate News

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) has prepared to brief Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif on implementing a faceless system in Inland Revenue, restructuring the organisation and expanding digital measures to improve tax collection. According to Business Recorder, the briefing scheduled for Monday was also expected to cover efforts to narrow an estimated Rs 1 trillion tax gap across 18 sectors.

Sources said FBR headquarters remained open on Sunday to prepare the briefing. Officials compiled proposals covering the faceless system, the use of artificial intelligence to analyse tax returns, digitalisation and human resource reforms. Integrity concerns involving field offices were also on the prime minister’s radar, the sources added.

As part of efforts to reduce the difference between actual and potential tax receipts, digital monitoring of sales and production across major industrial sectors is targeted for completion by the end of December. The report said monitoring systems had been fully installed in sugar, cement, tobacco, tiles and fertiliser.

Installation is under way in textiles, packaged water, packaged juices and packaged milk. Equipment procurement for steel, poultry and tyres was completed by October 15, while procurement for tea, household electronics, leather, paper and board, and oil and ghee is scheduled for completion by October 30.

The Prime Minister’s Office has directed the FBR to submit comprehensive proposals for human resource reforms and organisational restructuring. The proposals are intended to strengthen tax administration, improve transparency and enhance institutional performance.

The briefing agenda also includes an integrated digital framework linking economic activity from raw material production and imports through manufacturing to consumer purchases. The proposed framework would bring information from these stages into a central data structure.

Data generated through the system would support economic planning and key government decisions. The measures outlined in the report concern tax administration and industrial monitoring, with the scheduled briefing intended to review progress on ongoing reforms and the next steps.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan’s economy grew by 2% in the final quarter of fiscal year 2025-26, covering April to June, while real estate activities relating to ownership of dwellings expanded by 3.92% and construction grew by 3.52%.

According to Table 3 of the Pakistan Bureau of Statistics’ Quarterly National Accounts, the overall industrial sector contracted by 4.70%, although construction maintained positive growth. The figures represent year-on-year changes measured at constant basic prices.

Growth in ownership-of-dwellings activities increased from 3.69% in the corresponding quarter of the previous fiscal year to 3.92% in April–June 2026. Construction growth, meanwhile, slowed from 17.51% to 3.52%, indicating continued expansion at a substantially slower pace.

The official statistics classify the housing-related category as “Real Estate Activities (Ownership of Dwellings)”. Growth in this category should not be interpreted as an equivalent increase in property prices or the volume of property transactions.

Overall economic growth also eased from 6.07% in the corresponding quarter a year earlier to 2%. Ownership-of-dwellings activities and construction therefore continued to expand despite the broader economic slowdown and contraction in industry.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The Ministry of Finance and the International Monetary Fund (IMF) have launched a high level, two day workshop to discuss modernising Pakistan’s tax system, improving its effectiveness and transparency, and supporting sustainable economic growth.

Finance Minister Muhammad Aurangzeb delivered opening remarks alongside Jihad Azour, director of the IMF’s Middle East and Central Asia Department, and Rodrigo Valdés, director of its Fiscal Affairs Department.

Senior government officials, representatives of the IMF and World Bank, international tax experts, academics and private-sector leaders are participating. Discussions focus on reform priorities and ways to strengthen revenue collection while encouraging investment and economic activity.

Key topics include harmonising sales taxation across the federal and provincial governments, developing a simpler and more neutral income tax system, fiscal federalism and provincial tax revenues. Participants are examining these issues as part of efforts to develop a broad based, fair and transparent tax framework.

A dedicated session on tax administration and digitalisation explored ways to improve compliance with tax laws and strengthen taxpayer confidence. Participants also examined the role of digital tools in modernising tax administration.

The workshop is considering how reforms can raise revenues while supporting business expansion, productivity and investment. Aligning tax policy with the requirements of sustained economic growth is a central theme of the discussions.

A high-level panel discussion will conclude the workshop, bringing together proposals presented during the sessions and considering priority actions for the next phase of reform. Participants will also examine arrangements for continued coordination and cooperation among the institutions and stakeholders involved.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan and the United States have made significant progress in negotiations on a bilateral trade agreement, although some technical clauses still require further discussions with the Office of the US Trade Representative.

Commerce Secretary Jawad Paul shared the update during a meeting between Federal Commerce Minister Jam Kamal Khan and US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker. The discussions covered opportunities to expand bilateral trade, investment and economic cooperation. The prime minister’s coordinator on commerce and industry, Rana Ihsan Afzal Khan, also attended.

Khan said expanding trade and economic ties with the United States remained a priority for Pakistan, highlighting opportunities for investment and closer collaboration between businesses in both countries.

The meeting also addressed access to the US market for Pakistani mangoes and dates. Paul stressed the need to expedite visits by US inspection teams to facilitate mango exports, adding that market access for dates from Balochistan would benefit growers and exporters.

The US delegation assured the Pakistani side that it would engage the relevant authorities on market access for agricultural products. Both sides also discussed increasing imports of US cotton and soybeans and explored trade financing opportunities.

Inviting American companies to invest in Pakistan’s agricultural and industrial sectors, Khan highlighted opportunities in modern farming technology, food processing and cold chain infrastructure. He also pointed to potential for value addition in dates, olive oil and other agricultural products in Balochistan.

The commerce minister invited US businesses to participate in the FoodAg 2026 exhibition, scheduled for November 23 26 in Karachi.

The discussions also covered minerals, mining, technical cooperation and skills development. The US delegation expressed keen interest in expanding investment and technical collaboration in Pakistan’s minerals sector.

Khan identified Hub, Balochistan, as an important location for industrial investment, manufacturing and special economic zones. The meeting also reviewed regional trade connectivity and challenges affecting overland trade routes to Afghanistan and Central Asian markets.

Paul underscored the importance of reliable trade routes and efficient logistics for export growth. Khan said Pakistan sought a sustainable economic partnership with the United States based on mutual benefit.

Baker expressed interest in strengthening cooperation with Pakistan in trade, agriculture, technology and investment. Both sides agreed to advance trade negotiations, address market access issues and strengthen institutional links.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The National Assembly has passed the Evacuee Trust Properties (Management and Disposal) (Amendment) Bill 2026, aimed at modernising the management of evacuee trust properties, removing illegal encroachments and ensuring the protection of these assets.

During Monday’s sitting, Minister of State for Law and Justice Barrister Aqeel Malik moved a motion seeking consideration of the bill as reported by the relevant standing committee.

Following approval of the motion, the state minister presented the amendment bill to the House. The deputy speaker then put its provisions to the House for clause-by-clause approval, after which the assembly passed the bill.

The amendment seeks changes to the legal framework governing evacuee trust properties, with asset protection and the removal of unlawful occupation among its central objectives.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

The Punjab cabinet has approved Rs 60 billion for the Apni Chhat, Apna Ghar programme. Under the programme, the Bank of Punjab will provide 40,000 housing loans to help families meet the cost of building their homes.

According to Radio Pakistan, the approval was granted at a provincial cabinet meeting chaired by Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif in Lahore. The Bank of Punjab will play a central role in providing loans under the approved financing package.

Access to finance is an important step for families seeking to build a home. Loans provided through the programme could help beneficiaries meet construction expenses, while the release of funds to borrowers will be a key stage in implementing the approved package.

The report outlined the provision of 40,000 housing loans but did not specify a disbursement timeline or provide further details about application procedures and beneficiary selection.

At the same meeting, the cabinet also approved the establishment of horticulture authorities in 20 districts across Punjab. Alongside housing finance, the decisions include an expansion of the administrative framework for horticulture and urban green spaces.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The Federal Government Employees Housing Authority (FGEHA) has initiated procurement for a transaction advisor to assess a proposed joint venture apartment and commercial development at Mouza Charahan on Angori Road in Murree.

According to the procurement notice published on October 16, 2026, the authority is processing a private developer’s proposal under Rule 9(3) of the FGEHA Joint Venture and Public Private Partnership Rules, 2025.

The mixed use project is initially proposed on 84 kanals, with the possibility of expanding the land area to 1,000 kanals also subject to assessment.

Under the proposed arrangement, the land would be transferred into FGEHA’s name, while the authority would facilitate the necessary approvals. Twenty per cent of the residential apartments would be allocated to eligible FGEHA members at subsidised rates.

The proposal also includes a commercial component, continuing revenue streams for the authority and a buy-back facility for its allocated quota.

The private developer would be responsible for design, construction, sales and financing. Proposed terms envisage no equity investment by FGEHA and no assumption by the authority of the developer’s project liabilities. These provisions remain subject to assessment.

The transaction advisor will conduct due diligence on the land and developer, prepare feasibility studies, undertake valuations, and review development costs and payment plans.

The assignment also includes assessing the discount offered on the members’ quota, the proposed commercial share, potential expansion from 84 to 1,000 kanals, and the terms and security supporting the buy back arrangement.

The procurement concerns advisory services to evaluate the proposal and its transaction structure.