Sindh Real Estate News and Land Insights

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The State Bank of Pakistan (SBP) has revised its Prudential Regulations for Housing Finance, introducing a new lending framework aimed at expanding access to home financing while strengthening risk management requirements for banks and development finance institutions (DFIs).
The revised regulations take immediate effect and replace several earlier circulars issued between 2019 and 2021.
Under the new framework, housing finance can be obtained for purchasing a house or apartment, constructing a house on an owned plot, purchasing a plot for subsequent construction, extending or expanding an existing house, carrying out renovation and installing renewable-energy solutions in residential properties.
The maximum financing period has been set at 30 years for housing loans and 10 years for renewable energy solutions.
A maximum loan-to-value ratio of 90:10 has also been prescribed, potentially allowing banks and DFIs to finance up to 90% of a property's value, subject to applicable requirements.
To assess affordability, total monthly repayments on the proposed housing loan, together with the borrower's other outstanding consumer-finance obligations, must not exceed 65% of net disposable income.
The revised rules also seek to improve access for people earning outside the formal salaried sector. Banks and DFIs have been directed to use informal-income estimation models circulated by the Pakistan Banks' Association (PBA) to determine borrowers' repayment capacity.
For housing finance of up to Rs5 million, lenders may extend financing by marking a lien on the property, including against a Green Property Certificate issued by the Punjab Land Records Authority or an equivalent certificate issued by the relevant provincial authority.
For financing exceeding Rs10 million, valuation of the property by a PBA-panel valuator will be mandatory.
Banks and DFIs must obtain comprehensive insurance or takaful coverage for financed housing units and use standardized financing documents circulated by the PBA. Digital signatures will have to be authenticated through one-time passwords or another form of two-factor authentication.
The SBP has also introduced a four-tier classification system for problematic housing loans: OAEM after 90 days overdue, Substandard after 180 days, Doubtful after one year and Loss after two years. Provisioning will be based on IFRS-9 Expected Credit Loss or Forced Sale Value calculations, whichever results in the higher requirement.
Rescheduling or restructuring will generally be allowed only once within two years. Any extension in the loan period will be limited to five years while remaining within the overall 30-year maximum tenor.
Banks and DFIs have additionally been directed to introduce simplified and standardized housing-loan application forms for salaried individuals, formal businesses and informal-income applicants. These must be available physically and digitally in both Urdu and English.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan Petroleum Limited (PPL) has announced a significant gas discovery at the Dolphin X-1 well in the Sirani Block, located in the coastal district of Sujawal, Sindh. The find is being described as the first successful hydrocarbon discovery from the Jurassic Chiltan Formation in the Lower Indus Basin, potentially opening a new exploration frontier in Pakistan’s coastal and shallow offshore regions.
According to PPL, drilling of the Dolphin X-1 well began on April 17, 2026, and reached a depth of approximately 3,850 metres. The well was drilled primarily to assess the hydrocarbon potential of the Chiltan Formation.
During testing, the well produced around 942,000 standard cubic feet of gas per day, with a heating value of approximately 1,000 British thermal units per cubic foot. The wellhead flowing pressure was recorded at 211 pounds per square inch.
PPL said the key significance of the discovery lies in confirming the presence of an active petroleum system in the area. The result has also strengthened the exploration potential of the coastal marshlands and their possible extension into adjoining shallow offshore areas.
The Sirani Block is located in difficult marshy terrain, where oil and gas exploration is considered technically challenging. PPL carried out specialised two-dimensional and three-dimensional seismic surveys in the area, which helped identify the prospect that led to the drilling of Dolphin X-1.
PPL operates the Sirani Block with a 75 percent working interest, while Government Holdings Private Limited holds the remaining 25 percent stake.
Despite the positive initial results, the overall size of the gas reserves and their commercial viability have yet to be determined. Preliminary data suggest that the reservoir may have relatively low permeability, requiring further geological and engineering studies.
If additional appraisal work and future wells confirm the continuity of the newly identified hydrocarbon play, Sindh’s coastal belt and adjoining shallow offshore areas could emerge as an important new direction for Pakistan’s oil and gas exploration efforts.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Construction has officially started on the 82 storey Burj Quaid in DHA City Karachi, marking a major private sector move into large scale high rise development on the outskirts of Pakistan’s largest city. The project is being developed by ABS Developers in collaboration with DHA City Karachi.
ABS Developers announced that construction officially commenced on August 14, 2026. The start follows a formal agreement signed between DHA City Karachi and ABS Developers in May for development of the landmark tower.
Burj Quaid is planned to rise 941 feet with 82 storeys and is being positioned by the developer as Pakistan’s tallest building upon completion. ABS Developers says the project has received relevant height approvals, including from aviation and DHA authorities.
The development is not planned as a standalone residential tower. It is being designed as a major mixed use real estate project, combining luxury residences, corporate offices, retail space, a five star hotel, shopping facilities and a Business and Communication Hub.
The project is expected to occupy approximately six acres, while a six year target has been set for completion.
From a corporate real estate perspective, Burj Quaid represents a significant bet on the future growth of DHA City Karachi. The development has traditionally been associated largely with plotted residential development and lower density projects, but a tower of this scale signals an effort to create a more concentrated residential and commercial centre.
Bringing residential, office, hospitality and retail uses into a single high rise development also indicates expectations of stronger future demand for business activity and premium real estate in the area.
Improved connectivity through the recently operational Shahrah e Bhutto, which has reduced travel time between central Karachi and DHA City, is also being presented as a factor that could strengthen the location’s investment appeal.
An 82 storey development, however, is a long term corporate commitment. Its eventual commercial impact will depend on construction progress, delivery within the planned timeframe, buyer and corporate demand, and the wider pace at which DHA City Karachi develops into an active residential and business destination.
The start of Burj Quaid is therefore more than another addition to Karachi’s skyline. It represents a major corporate bet on transforming DHA City Karachi into a higher density residential, commercial and investment destination.