Investing

The Pakistan real estate sector is moving towards greater professionalism. Eighteen, a luxury project, is leading this charge under new CEO Dr. Mohamed Mansour. Dr. Mansour's core mandate is to deliver the project with speed, precision, and quality, making construction excellence the absolute priority to reinforce customer trust. Key developments include a vital, dedicated slip road from the Srinagar Highway nearing approval. The project reflects strong investor confidence in Pakistan's growth, supported by the SIFC, and is exploring joint ventures with DHA. The mission: deliver faster and better to establish Eighteen as Pakistan's premier, reliable luxury community.

Pakistan's forex reserves have recovered significantly, but stability remains managed by external support (IMF, rollovers), not secured by self-sufficiency. The economy faces huge continuous strain from debt servicing (around $22B annually) and a large trade deficit ($35B projected). Stagnant exports and reliance on imports keep the situation vulnerable. To secure stability, Pakistan must prioritize structural reforms focused on reducing import dependency and aggressively boosting exports and remittances. The current calm is only a temporary "base camp."

The Punjab government has disbursed PKR 113 billion in home loans to 95,600 low-income families through the ‘Apni Chhat Apna Ghar’ Programme. The initiative, championed by CM Maryam Nawaz, aims to help 500,000 families over five years. Currently, 82,931 houses are under construction, with 20,940 already completed. The scheme emphasizes transparency and strict eligibility checks, benefiting both urban and rural areas.

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.