Lahore Division

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The trend of overseas Pakistanis’ investment in Pakistan’s real estate sector appears to be rising again rather than declining. However, the increase remains cautious in nature. Overseas Pakistanis are showing interest in the property market, but full momentum has not yet returned due to concerns over fraud, unapproved housing schemes, possession disputes, taxes and timely completion of projects.
No separate official monthly data is regularly released on overseas Pakistanis’ real estate investment in Pakistan, making it difficult to measure this investment directly in percentage terms. However, if remittances, Roshan Digital Account inflows, government tax relief and property related facilities for overseas Pakistanis are taken into account, investment potential and interest in the sector appear to have increased during fiscal year 2025-26.
According to the figures, remittances from overseas Pakistanis stood at $4.251 billion in May 2026, showing an increase of 20.2 percent on a monthly basis and 15.4 percent on a yearly basis. During July to May FY2025-26, total remittances reached $38.1 billion, which is 9.2 percent higher compared to the same period last year. According to economic experts, the rise in remittances is a positive indicator for the real estate sector, as a major portion of overseas Pakistanis’ savings is generally invested in plots, houses and commercial property.
Improvement has also been witnessed in overseas investment through the Roshan Digital Account. In April 2026, RDA inflows reached a record level of $321 million, while total inflows rose to $12.747 billion. Similarly, RDA inflows during the current fiscal year stood at $2.184 billion, higher than $1.925 billion recorded during the same period last year.
Under the State Bank’s Roshan Apna Ghar programme, non-resident Pakistanis can digitally purchase, construct or renovate a house in Pakistan. Investments made through RDA can also be repatriated abroad, indicating that a formal route for overseas Pakistanis to invest in real estate is active.
On the other hand, the government has also described measures to reduce property taxes and transaction costs in the FY2026-27 budget as important for overseas investment. According to reports, steps such as reductions in withholding tax, capital gains tax and property valuations are aimed at bringing buyers, sellers and especially overseas Pakistanis back towards the real estate market.
However, challenges still remain. The Overseas Pakistanis Foundation has also acknowledged that overseas Pakistanis are interested in real estate due to the potential for higher returns, but many have suffered losses because of fraud and non-completion of projects by developers. This is why scrutiny of housing societies that have an NOC and the required land is being considered.
According to real estate experts, any increase in overseas Pakistanis’ investment depends on trust, legal protection and approved projects. If the government ensures transparent digital records, online verification of NOCs, protection of possession rights and timely delivery of projects, investment by overseas Pakistanis in the country’s real estate sector may increase further in the coming months.

Lahore: [ReNews Pakistan]
Lahore Development Authority Director General Tahir Farooq visited the Data Darbar expansion project and the under construction Bhati Chowk Underpass, where he reviewed the quality, pace and finishing work of the ongoing development activities.
During the visit, TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain, the project director and the contractor briefed the LDA DG on the progress of the project. Officials said work on the walls and ramps of the Bhati Chowk Underpass was progressing rapidly, while work on the NJ barriers was also being carried out simultaneously.
LDA DG Tahir Farooq directed that the pace of work on the underpass be further accelerated to ensure timely completion of the project. He also instructed the project director to share progress updates on a daily basis.
Tahir Farooq directed the contractor to finalize the design for lighting, finishing and horticulture at the earliest, stressing that there would be no compromise on the quality and appearance of the project. He also reviewed the ongoing finishing work at the Data Darbar piazza, underground pedestrian passage, parking area and toilet block, and directed the relevant teams to expedite the work.
TEPA Chief Engineer Iqrar Hussain said during the briefing that traffic flow in the area had improved following the removal of encroachments around Data Darbar. Officials said the completion of the project would provide better facilities to visitors to Data Darbar, pedestrians and motorists.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan
The expansion of new and unplanned housing societies in Punjab has affected agricultural land on a large scale. According to available reports, nearly 225,000 acres of valuable agricultural land in the province have been consumed by housing schemes and unplanned urban expansion over the past few decades.
Reports suggest that this land was converted into around 6,000 housing schemes, of which nearly 4,000 were allegedly developed illegally. The situation is being described as a matter of concern for the province, as Punjab plays a central role in the country’s agricultural production, food requirements and rural economy.
In terms of kanal, 225,000 acres are equal to nearly 1.8 million kanal, while in hectares this area is around 91,000 hectares. Experts say the conversion of agricultural land into residential and commercial use on such a large scale could become a threat to future food production and the agricultural economy.
According to officials, unplanned urban expansion has not only raised concerns over a possible decline in agricultural output but has also worsened environmental issues. The reduction of agricultural land affects green cover, while new settlements, roads, construction and traffic pressure increase smog, pollution and the burden on urban facilities.
The Punjab government has prepared land use and zoning plans for 32 districts to stop this trend. Under these plans, separate zones have been allocated for residential, commercial and industrial use. Officials say no new housing scheme or commercial project will be allowed on land that has not been approved or notified for that purpose under the master plan.
Real estate observers believe this measure may help stop the spread of illegal housing schemes, protect agricultural land and regulate urban development. However, strict monitoring by local administrations, development authorities and municipal institutions will be necessary for effective implementation.
Experts say Punjab will need to focus on planned urban growth, vertical construction, approved residential projects and protection of agricultural land instead of horizontal expansion, so that urban needs can be met without damaging the province’s agricultural base.
Overall, reports that nearly 225,000 acres of agricultural land have been affected by the expansion of housing societies in Punjab show that maintaining a balance between real estate development and agricultural protection has become an urgent need for the province.