Investing

The Punjab government has announced a new plan to construct 57,000 affordable houses on government land across 21 districts. The project, which will be offered to eligible citizens on easy installment plans, is expected to be a joint collaboration with the World Bank and the private sector. The plan is awaiting final approval from the provincial cabinet.

On Tuesday, gold prices in Pakistan held steady at a record Rs. 370,700 per tola following Monday’s unprecedented Rs. 3,300 jump. The 10-gram rate remained unchanged at Rs. 317,815, mirroring the international price of $3,480 per ounce (plus a $20 premium), while silver also stayed firm at Rs. 4,303 per tola.

Pakistan’s cabinet approved a government-to-government agreement with the UAE to transfer Islamabad International Airport’s operations. A committee led by the prime minister’s adviser on privatization will finalize the handover. As part of Pakistan’s USD 7 billion IMF-backed privatization drive, this partnership aims to boost efficiency and passenger services through UAE expertise.

Islamabad is becoming a top destination for real estate investors due to its strategic location, stable market, and rapid infrastructure development. Commercial properties, in particular, offer high rental yields and long-term appreciation, often outperforming residential investments. With a low maintenance burden on property owners and tax benefits, the city presents a lucrative opportunity for those looking to expand their portfolios in Pakistan’s capital.

The Capital Development Authority (CDA) has declared 99 housing societies in Islamabad illegal, leaving thousands of investors in a state of crisis. The move, aimed at enforcing urban planning laws, targets schemes operating without proper approvals, often in Zones 3 and 4. Many of these projects are accused of selling plots without legal standing or infrastructure. While the CDA has not released an official list, a partial list of 35 illegal societies has emerged, highlighting the widespread nature of the issue.

Dubai-based digital bank Mashreq is set to complete a $100 million expansion in Pakistan by the end of 2025, focusing on digitizing workers’ remittances, supporting SMEs with a dedicated platform, and promoting financial literacy for youth. The bank, currently in a pilot phase, is leveraging its global experience and a digital-only model to fill the gap in Pakistan’s untapped online banking market.

Pakistani gold prices have sharply declined by PKR 8,500 per tola in just three days. On Saturday, 24 karat gold traded at PKR 356,400 per tola, following a PKR 300 drop from Friday. This significant downturn, mirrored in both local silver prices and international precious metal markets, marks a notable shift for investors and consumers.

Bitcoin, the world’s leading cryptocurrency, just shattered its all-time high, surging past $112,000 on Wednesday. This remarkable rally is fueled by a powerful combination of robust performance in tech stocks, particularly Nvidia’s historic $4 trillion market cap milestone, and a noticeable resurgence in investor appetite for risk. Experts highlight a significant shift in institutional investment strategies, with publicly traded companies now directly acquiring more Bitcoin than what flows into ETFs, signaling profound confidence in its enduring value. As “digital gold” continues to mirror the bullish trend of growth stocks, analysts predict further gains, potentially pushing Bitcoin beyond $120,000 in the coming week.

In a landmark move, Saudi Arabia is set to allow foreigners to own property starting January 2026, marking a pivotal step in its Vision 2030 economic diversification strategy. This transformative policy will enable expats, international investors, and foreign companies to acquire real estate in pre-approved zones, initially focusing on dynamic cities like Riyadh and Jeddah. This strategic opening, mirroring successful models in other Gulf nations, is poised to significantly boost the Kingdom’s real estate, construction, and financial sectors, creating unprecedented opportunities for global buyers and further cementing Saudi Arabia’s position as a burgeoning investment hub.