Overview of the Real Estate Investment Webinar
Islamabad, March 20, 2025 (Alliance News) – The Alliance Good Governance Foundation hosted a webinar on “Unlocking Investment Opportunities in Pakistan’s Premier Real Estate,” bringing together industry experts to discuss investment prospects, regulatory frameworks, and digital transformation in the sector. The event emphasized the importance of transparency, institutional governance, and sustainable development to foster investor confidence and ensure long-term growth.
Moderated by Shabbir Hussain and Husna Khattak, the session featured leading real estate professionals, including Zahgam Haider, Asad Rehman, Syed Muhammad Kazim, Mudssar Mahmood, Kulsoom Sikander, and Yahya Haqdad Abbasi. These experts provided valuable insights into key challenges facing Pakistan’s property market and proposed reforms to make it more secure and profitable.
Key Discussions and Recommendations Key Discussions and Recommendations
Speakers stressed that transparency is crucial for attracting investment, as a well-regulated system would help investors feel secure. They highlighted the need for proper institutions to oversee and govern the real estate sector, ensuring accountability and legal compliance.
A strong focus was placed on high-rise developments, which were identified as a sustainable solution to accommodate urban expansion while preserving land resources. Experts noted that vertical growth, along with smart infrastructure planning, is vital for the sector’s modernization.
The panel also underscored the significance of digital transformation, advocating for a centralized online platform where verified real estate listings and project details would be accessible at a single click. This, they argued, would eliminate fraudulent activities and provide investors with real-time, reliable information.
Taxation policies were another key concern, with experts suggesting that reducing real estate taxes would make the sector more attractive and profitable. They noted that high tax rates discourage investment and drive transactions into undocumented channels, ultimately harming economic growth.
Speakers also called for government oversight, proposing a structured check-and-balance system to monitor real estate developers and housing societies. They stressed that regulatory intervention is necessary to ensure projects are completed as promised and that investors’ interests are safeguarded.
A major concern raised was the prevalence of fraudulent schemes and scams in the real estate market. Experts urged strict legal action, calling for scammers and deceptive developers to be banned and punished to protect investors and uphold market integrity.
Conclusion and Key Takeaways
The webinar provided crucial insights into the evolving dynamics of Pakistan’s real estate sector, with experts agreeing on the need for reforms to enhance investor trust and drive growth. The key takeaways from the discussion included:
• Transparency & Institutional Governance: Establishing a regulatory authority to oversee real estate operations and protect investors.
• Sustainable Development: Encouraging high-rise construction to optimize land use and accommodate urban expansion.
• Digital Transformation: Creating a centralized online database for verified real estate projects to improve accessibility and reduce fraud.
• Tax Reforms: Lowering real estate taxes to attract more investors and promote documented transactions.
• Government Oversight: Implementing strict regulations and a check-and-balance system to ensure compliance.
• Fraud Prevention: Enforcing stringent penalties against scammers and fraudulent developers to protect buyers and investors.
Dr. Tarek Khan’s Closing Remarks
In his concluding remarks, Dr. Tarek Khan, Convener of the Alliance Good Governance Foundation, expressed gratitude to the speakers and attendees for their valuable insights. He emphasized the need for continued dialogue and policy reforms to create a more investor-friendly and transparent real estate market.
“This discussion has highlighted key issues and practical solutions for Pakistan’s real estate sector. Moving forward, we hope these recommendations will shape government policies and encourage responsible investments that benefit both investors and the national economy,” he stated.
The event successfully fostered meaningful dialogue on transforming Pakistan’s real estate sector into a more transparent, investor-friendly, and sustainable industry. Experts expressed optimism that these insights would guide policymakers in enacting necessary reforms to strengthen the market.