Pakistan’s real estate sector has officially been recognized as the country’s “mother industry” — a massive Rs 100 trillion asset class with deep connections to construction, banking, cement, steel, retail, and employment generation.
According to a white paper issued on 13-2-2026 by the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan following the First International Capital Market Conference (ICMC), the sector holds enormous untapped potential — but faces challenges due to an unfavorable tax regime and structural inefficiencies.
For investors and property buyers, this signals one important message:
Pakistan’s real estate is evolving — and smart money is moving toward regulated, transparent investment structures like REITs.
Real Estate: A Rs 100 Trillion Opportunity
During the conference, Muhammad Ejaz, CEO of Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited, described real estate as Pakistan’s “mother industry.”
He highlighted that despite its enormous size, the sector has historically been:
- Under-leveraged
- Dominated by informal players
- Limited in investor access
- Weakly integrated with the financial system
This means one thing: huge latent potential is waiting to be unlocked.
What Are REITs — And Why They Matter Now?
Pakistan’s REIT framework, regulated under the REIT Regulations 2022, provides a disciplined and transparent structure for real estate investment.
How REITs Work in Pakistan
REITs operate through a strong institutional structure involving:
- Trustees (asset safeguarding)
- REIT Management Companies (RMCs)
- Property managers
- Development advisors
- Valuers & auditors
- Shariah advisors
- Rating agencies
- Regulators
- Investor participation via the Pakistan Stock Exchange
This structure ensures:
✔ Professional management
✔ Transparent income distribution
✔ Asset protection
✔ Governance & compliance
✔ Investor confidence
Growth of Pakistan’s REIT Sector
Today, Pakistan’s REIT industry includes:
- 34 licensed RMCs
- 25 REIT schemes
- Combined assets of PKR 208.7 billion
Notable projects include:
- Dolmen City REIT – The region’s first listed REIT
- Globe Residency REIT
- TPL REIT Fund I
- Image REIT
This reflects growing institutional confidence in Pakistan’s property sector.
Challenges Facing the Sector
Despite momentum, key issues remain:
- Unfavorable tax regime
- Regulatory fragmentation
- Limited access to formal finance
- Low investor awareness
- Dominance of informal market structures
However, these challenges are also opportunities for reform and growth.
Why This Is the Right Time to Invest
The SECP has emphasized:
- Capital market reforms
- Strong demand for civic infrastructure
- Institutional investor interest
- Growth of Shariah-aligned REITs
- Formalization of real estate markets
As Pakistan urbanizes and infrastructure expands, regulated property investment is expected to become a major pillar of economic development.
What This Means for Property Buyers & Investors
Whether you are:
- A first-time home buyer
- An overseas Pakistani
- A commercial investor
- A developer
- A long-term wealth builder
The future of real estate lies in:
- Transparency
- Documentation
- Legal compliance
- Institutional-grade projects
- Structured investment models
The era of undocumented, risky property dealings is gradually shifting toward regulated, secure, and growth-oriented investments.
Invest Smart with Ghandhara Estate
At Ghandhara Estate, we help investors and buyers navigate:
- Verified residential projects
- Commercial investment opportunities
- REIT-aligned developments
- High-growth areas in Islamabad, Rawalpindi & beyond
- Transparent documentation & legal guidance
📞 Contact Ghandhara Estate today
Secure your future with informed, regulated, and profitable property investments.
Final Insight
Pakistan’s real estate sector is no longer just about buying and selling plots.
It is transforming into a structured, capital-market-integrated investment ecosystem.
Those who understand this shift today will lead tomorrow’s wealth creation.
