Sindh Province

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan’s real estate market is showing clear signs of recovery, with demand and prices for residential properties continuing to rise across major cities. Market experts say improved investor confidence, government incentives and changing geopolitical conditions in the region have generated renewed activity in the property sector.
Market observers estimate that residential property prices in Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad have increased by around 10% to 15% in recent weeks. The limited availability of quality housing projects and growing interest from both local and overseas Pakistani investors have pushed prices further upward.
Industry experts say the main factors behind the market recovery include reductions in property transaction taxes under the Finance Act 2025–26, the expansion of the federal government’s subsidised housing finance programme and the growing perception of real estate as a relatively secure long-term investment.
Ibrahim Amin, Chairman of TriStar International, said ongoing tensions in the Middle East have encouraged many investors to diversify their portfolios, resulting in increased capital flows towards Pakistan’s real estate market.
He said Pakistan’s property sector continues to offer comparatively affordable investment opportunities and stronger long-term return potential than several regional markets.
According to Amin, demand for houses and apartments has increased significantly in Defence Housing Authority and other premium and well-developed residential areas. Limited supplies of completed housing units have also contributed to further price increases in several key locations.
The federal government’s decision to reduce withholding taxes on property transactions has also supported market activity.
Under the Finance Act 2025–26, the withholding tax on property purchases for tax filers was reduced from 2.5% to 1.25%, while the tax on property sales was lowered from 5.5% to 2.75%.
The government introduced the tax relief to encourage investment in the construction and real estate sectors.
Real estate consultant Maaz Liaquat said demand for residential plots, houses, apartments and commercial properties has increased considerably over the past few weeks.
He said buyers are now giving greater preference to completed houses and apartments instead of newly launched housing schemes or plots.
In Karachi, the limited supply of new housing projects has led to a comparatively sharper rise in property prices.
In Lahore and Islamabad, investors are showing greater interest in large housing developments and high-rise residential projects.
Meanwhile, first-time homebuyers are using the Prime Minister’s Wazir-e-Azam Apna Ghar Programme to purchase homes in suburban areas through bank financing.
According to data from the State Bank of Pakistan, commercial and microfinance banks have received around 107,000 applications under the housing finance programme.
Of these, approximately 27,000 applications have been approved, 13,000 have been rejected, while the remaining applications are still under review.
The government aims to facilitate around 150,000 beneficiaries under the programme during the current fiscal year.
Eligible applicants can obtain financing of up to Rs10 million to purchase a house, apartment or plot, or to construct a home on land they already own.
Despite the improvement in market activity, industry stakeholders say further reforms are needed to sustain the recovery over the longer term.
They have urged the government to improve access to bank financing for builders and developers, simplify approval procedures and offer additional incentives for the launch of new residential projects.
Experts believe that increasing the number of housing projects could help address Pakistan’s estimated shortage of around 12 million housing units.
They said the expansion of the housing sector could also create jobs and stimulate economic activity in construction, cement, steel, glass, tiles, paint, banking and other allied industries.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has inaugurated a new dual carriageway in Korangi, completing a major infrastructure project aimed at improving traffic flow, strengthening connectivity between Korangi and Malir, and enhancing access to key healthcare, industrial and residential areas.
The Rs 265.259 million project was officially opened by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab, who described the road as an important addition to the city's expanding transport network. The new corridor links Mehrunnisa Hospital with Nasir Jump and Creek Road, creating an alternative route that is expected to ease congestion on existing roads while reducing travel time for thousands of daily commuters.
Built to modern engineering standards, the dual carriageway stretches approximately 1.7 kilometres and has a width of 9.3 metres, allowing smoother traffic movement and greater road capacity. City officials said the project forms part of KMC’s broader strategy to modernise Karachi’s transport infrastructure and improve mobility across rapidly growing urban areas.
Beyond road construction, the project includes significant upgrades to public utilities designed to improve resilience during the monsoon season. KMC installed a 36-inch reinforced concrete stormwater drainage system to facilitate rainwater disposal, alongside an 18-inch reinforced concrete sewerage pipeline to strengthen the area's sanitation network and reduce the risk of urban flooding.
To improve pedestrian safety and accessibility, 1.5 metre wide footpaths have been developed on both sides of the carriageway, while 53 modern streetlights have been installed to enhance nighttime visibility and road safety for motorists, cyclists and pedestrians.
Mayor Wahab said the new road would provide faster and more reliable access to SIUT Hospital, nearby industrial estates and surrounding residential neighbourhoods. He noted that the improved transport corridor is expected to support economic activity by facilitating the movement of workers, businesses and emergency services while contributing to the city's long term development plans.
Urban planning experts view such integrated infrastructure projects as increasingly important for Karachi, where rising population growth and expanding industrial activity continue to place pressure on the city's road network. By combining transport improvements with drainage and utility upgrades, the project is expected to deliver wider benefits beyond traffic management, including improved public safety, better municipal services and stronger resilience against seasonal rainfall.
The new dual carriageway is expected to become a key transport link for residents of Korangi and Malir, providing an efficient alternative route while supporting Karachi's ongoing efforts to modernise its urban infrastructure and improve the quality of life for its citizens.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Standard Chartered Pakistan has been named Pakistan’s Best Bank for Mortgages and Home Loans for 2026 by international financial publication Euromoney.
The recognition was announced under the Euromoney Awards for Excellence 2026, which identify leading banks across different markets and financial service categories. Standard Chartered was selected as the winner of the mortgage and home loans category in Pakistan.
The bank said the award reflected the strength of its mortgage offering and its efforts to provide clients with a smooth and customer focused home financing experience. Its mortgage proposition combines financing solutions tailored to customer needs with digital convenience and support from application through to completion of financing.
Standard Chartered Pakistan also offers Saadiq Home Finance, a Shariah compliant housing finance facility. The product supports the purchase of a home, renovation or extension of an existing property, enhancement of an existing financing facility and the transfer of outstanding home financing from another bank.
According to the bank’s website, Saadiq Home Finance provides financing of up to 75 percent of a property’s value, with repayment periods of up to 25 years. Customers can choose between hybrid and floating pricing options. The facility is available in selected areas of Karachi, Lahore, Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Standard Chartered has operated in Pakistan since 1863 and describes itself as the country’s largest and oldest international bank. As of March 2026, the bank maintained 165 service touchpoints across ten cities, including 38 branches, 107 automated teller machines and 20 cash deposit machines.
The Euromoney recognition is expected to strengthen Standard Chartered’s corporate position in Pakistan’s home financing market and support confidence in its mortgage services.
Customers considering home finance should nevertheless review the applicable pricing, monthly repayment obligations, total financing cost and early settlement conditions before entering into an agreement.