قومی ریئل اسٹیٹ خبریں

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Fauji Cement Company Limited (PSX: FCCL) has reported a significant disruption to its export operations following the closure of the Pakistan-Afghanistan border although stronger domestic sales and improved operating margins helped the company achieve a 51% year-on-year increase in quarterly profit.

The cement manufacturer announced its financial results for the first quarter of fiscal year 2026 27, covering the three months ended September 30, 2026. According to its financial statement submitted to the Pakistan Stock Exchange (PSX), Fauji Cement recorded a net profit of Rs 4.96 billion, compared with Rs 3.29 billion during the corresponding period of the previous financial year.

The company's earnings per share (EPS) increased to Rs 2.02 from Rs 1.34 in the same quarter last year. However, according to market analysis, the company's net profit declined by approximately 8% compared with the preceding quarter. Net revenue increased by approximately 11% year-on-year to Rs 26.05 billion, compared with Rs 23.42 billion in the corresponding quarter of FY2025 26. The improvement was supported by a 12% increase in domestic cement dispatches, reflecting stronger sales in the local market.

Nevertheless, overall cement dispatches increased by only 5% year-on-year, primarily because exports were disrupted following the closure of the Afghan border. Afghanistan has traditionally been an important export destination for Pakistan's cement industry, and restrictions on cross-border trade have created challenges for manufacturers relying on regional markets. Despite these difficulties, Fauji Cement maintained stronger profitability through improved domestic sales, higher cement retention prices and cost optimisation measures.

The company's gross profit increased to Rs 9.36 billion from Rs 7.38 billion in the corresponding period last year. Its gross profit margin also improved to approximately 36%, compared with 32% in the previous year. The improvement was supported by higher cement prices, better retention rates and operational efficiency initiatives. These included benefits from the government's incremental electricity consumption package and the company's in-house production of polypropylene (PP) bags, which helped reduce packaging related costs.

However, rising petroleum prices increased transportation expenses, placing additional pressure on the company's distribution operations.

Selling and distribution expenses increased by approximately 17% year-on-year, mainly due to higher fuel and logistics costs. Meanwhile, the company's finance costs declined by approximately 37% year on year to Rs 714 million, while net finance costs fell by around 39%. According to market analysis, the company made early debt repayments during the quarter, contributing to a reduction of approximately 10% in long-term borrowings and 92% in short term borrowings compared with the preceding quarter.

The effective tax rate stood at approximately 38%, compared with 37.9% in the corresponding period last year and 22.8% in the previous quarter. Fauji Cement's latest financial performance indicates that stronger domestic demand, improved selling prices and cost-control measures helped offset the impact of disrupted exports. However, the resumption of normal trade through the Pakistan-Afghanistan border will remain important for the company's future export volumes and regional market access. The company did not announce any cash dividend, bonus shares or rights issue for the quarter.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Qatar's prominent hospitality company, Retaj Group, has expressed interest in exploring investment opportunities in Pakistan's hotel and tourism industries, including possible joint ventures with local business partners and the expansion of its hospitality brands into the country.

The development emerged during Federal Minister for Commerce Jam Kamal Khan's visit to Doha, where he held a series of high-level meetings with Qatari officials, investors and business representatives on October 25 and 26 on the sidelines of the World Investment Forum 2026.

According to Pakistan's Ministry of Commerce, Jam Kamal Khan met representatives of Retaj Group to discuss potential cooperation in hospitality development, tourism investment and commercial partnerships.

During the meeting, Retaj Group expressed interest in examining opportunities to expand its hospitality brands into Pakistan and other Islamic countries through partnerships with local businesses.Both sides recognised that cooperation in the hospitality and tourism sectors could encourage private investment, create new business opportunities and strengthen economic relations between Pakistan and Qatar.The commerce minister also met the Chairman of Qatar Chamber of Commerce and Industries to discuss expanding bilateral trade, investment and private-sector cooperation.

Jam Kamal Khan encouraged Qatari businesses to increase business to business engagement with Pakistani companies and strengthen commercial links between the two countries.He invited Qatari investors to explore opportunities in Pakistan's Special Economic Zones (SEZs), particularly in Karachi's industrial areas, where export oriented manufacturing and industrial partnerships could provide access to domestic and international markets.The minister highlighted Pakistan's strategic geographical location and its potential to serve as a commercial gateway to wider regional markets, including Africa, through improved trade connectivity and supply-chain networks.

The Qatar Chamber chairman discussed changing global supply-chain dynamics and expressed interest in proposed regional transit routes and connectivity initiatives.Both sides acknowledged that improved logistics infrastructure, diversified supply chains and stronger regional transport networks could facilitate trade, reduce commercial barriers and open new markets for businesses in Pakistan and Qatar. During separate engagements, Jam Kamal Khan met Qatar's Minister of Municipality to discuss agricultural cooperation, food security and opportunities to strengthen food supply chains.

He also held discussions with the Secretary General of the D 8 Organisation for Economic Cooperation, focusing on implementation of the group's Preferential Trade Agreement and expanding trade among member countries.Pakistan and Qatar also reviewed bilateral trade and investment cooperation during a meeting of their joint working group, including developments in negotiations over the proposed free trade agreement between Pakistan and the Gulf Cooperation Council.

The discussions in Doha reflected Pakistan's efforts to attract foreign investment across several sectors, including industrial development, logistics, agriculture, tourism and hospitality.

Retaj Group's potential entry into Pakistan could create opportunities for the country's hotel industry, commercial real estate market and tourism infrastructure.

International hospitality investment may also support new construction activity, commercial property development and the expansion of tourism related services.

However, no specific hotel project, investment amount, location or implementation schedule has been announced by Retaj Group.

The company has so far expressed interest in exploring potential partnerships and investment opportunities, with further discussions required before any formal investment agreement or project launch can be confirmed.

Lahore | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan has expanded the testing of a satellite based irrigation decision-support system to the canal network serving approximately 13.3 million kanals of agricultural land in Punjab, aiming to improve the efficiency and fairness of irrigation water distribution.

The initiative seeks to align water allocations more closely with actual crop requirements while improving the management of available water resources through satellite monitoring and mathematical optimisation.

The completion of the third phase of the three year project, supported by the Asian Development Bank (ADB), was announced during a workshop at the Lahore University of Management Sciences (LUMS).

The project has been developed through collaboration between LUMS, the Punjab Irrigation Department and the Food and Agriculture Organization (FAO) of the United Nations.

At the centre of the initiative is the Rotation Advisory Module (RAM), an advanced decision support tool that combines satellite derived information with mathematical optimisation to recommend irrigation water allocations.

The system was initially piloted on selected canals in the Balloki Okara division before being extended to all rotation channels of the Lower Bari Doab Canal (LBDC) network.

The LBDC system serves approximately 675,000 hectares, equivalent to 13.3 million kanals, of agricultural land in Punjab.

The technology uses satellite-based estimates of Relative Water Deficit (RWD) to assess the extent to which crops may be experiencing water shortages.

Based on this information, the mathematical model recommends water allocations for upcoming irrigation rotations while considering existing distribution priorities and operational constraints.

Addressing the workshop, ADB Water Management Consultant Dr. S. A. Prathapar said modernising irrigation systems required more than constructing new canals or upgrading physical infrastructure.

He emphasised the need to modernise the operational rules governing how irrigation water is distributed among agricultural users.

Dr. Prathapar explained that conventional irrigation performance indicators could determine whether authorities had delivered the planned quantity of water but could not necessarily establish whether crops had received sufficient water to meet their actual requirements.

Satellite-based water deficit estimates could help address this limitation by providing more accurate information for future irrigation allocation decisions.

Dr. Abubakr Muhammad of LUMS highlighted the importance of Pakistan's irrigation network for national food security and rural livelihoods.

He said climate change, uncertainty over water availability and rising agricultural production costs, particularly energy expenses, were placing increasing pressure on the country's irrigation system.

According to Dr. Muhammad, advances in satellite remote sensing, near real time monitoring and intelligent decision support systems could enable irrigation managers to make more informed decisions based on water shortages at field and canal levels.He also stressed that technological improvements must account for social considerations, water governance and fairness in distribution.

ADB Principal Water Resource Specialist Ryutaro Takaku Bessho reaffirmed the bank's continued engagement in Pakistan's agriculture and water sectors, particularly in addressing climate vulnerability, improving food security and strengthening rural resilience.

Technical sessions at the workshop examined satellite based crop water requirement estimates, the functioning of the Rotation Advisory Module and its potential integration with the Punjab Irrigation Department's Irrigation Decision Support System.

Representatives from the Punjab Irrigation and Agriculture Departments, WAPDA, the Ministry of Water Resources, SUPARCO and the Pakistan Agricultural Research Council attended the workshop.

Participants also discussed further system validation, institutional arrangements, farmer engagement and the possible integration of rainfall forecasts into future irrigation recommendations.

However, the technology remains a decision support and testing initiative. Its extension across the LBDC network does not mean that irrigation water distribution has become fully automated or that the system has been permanently adopted throughout the area.Further operational validation and institutional arrangements will be required before wider implementation.

Lahore | Riaz Hussain, ReNews Pakistan

A public notice concerning property transactions has advised buyers and sellers to ensure that their names recorded on their Computerised National Identity Cards (CNICs), issued by the National Database and Registration Authority (NADRA), exactly match those appearing in their Federal Board of Revenue (FBR) profiles.

According to the notice, both parties involved in transferring a plot or house must ensure consistency between their identification documents and tax registration records. In case of any discrepancy in FBR records, taxpayers have been advised to update their registration information under Section 181 of the Income Tax Ordinance by using the FBR's online portal or contacting the relevant Regional Tax Office (RTO).

The FBR's official website confirms that taxpayers can request amendments to their income tax registration details if any errors, omissions or changes are identified. Under the prescribed procedure, the concerned individual submits a registration amendment form through the IRIS portal. The Commissioner may approve or reject the application after reviewing it.

Separate FBR guidelines explain that certain registration details can be updated online through Registration Form 181. These include mobile phone numbers, residential and business addresses, bank account information and certain other particulars.

However, specific changes, including amendments involving CNIC numbers, require taxpayers to visit the relevant Regional Tax Office and provide the necessary supporting documents.

Importantly, the official FBR guidance does not explicitly include name changes among the details that taxpayers can independently modify online. Therefore, individuals whose names contain spelling differences or other discrepancies should contact the relevant Regional Tax Office to confirm the procedure applicable to their particular circumstances.

Submitting an online amendment form alone should not be considered a guarantee that a name correction will be approved in every case.

The importance of identity verification during property transfers is also reflected in the procedures followed by the Punjab Land Records Authority (PLRA).

According to the authority, valid identity cards and ownership documents are required for property mutation and transfer. The process at land record centres also involves recording CNIC details, capturing photographs and conducting biometric verification.

The public notice does not specify any deadline for correcting discrepancies, penalties for non-compliance or automatic rejection of property transfers where names do not match.

Its primary message is that property buyers and sellers should ensure consistency between the names appearing on their CNICs and FBR tax profiles to avoid potential documentation and verification issues during property transactions.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan

Land disputes involving nearly 100 cooperative housing societies in Karachi concern properties reportedly valued at approximately Rs 1 trillion, according to a newspaper report citing the Sindh Cooperatives Department. The report alleges that administrative irregularities and violations of restrictions on property transactions have exposed several societies to litigation, investigations and uncertainty for members. The societies reportedly include nine operating under government administration. Alleged violations involve plot allotments, transfers, ownership changes, development work and other transactions undertaken despite restrictions imposed in 2017. The report says these actions have contributed to disputes over valuable land and raised questions about oversight of administrators appointed to manage society affairs. According to the report, the provincial cooperatives secretary took notice of the alleged breaches and issued a letter reiterating the restrictions. The communication reportedly warned government administrators and relevant officials against exceeding their authority or undertaking activities prohibited under the existing framework. The report refers to the Sindh Cooperative Housing Authority Ordinance, 1982, and departmental instructions governing administrators’ responsibilities. It states that administrators appointed to societies should focus on authorised administrative functions, including verification of members, scrutiny of records and arrangements for elections, rather than exercising unrestricted powers over land and financial matters. The department’s instructions, as reproduced in the report, prohibit administrators from allotting or transferring plots, changing ownership, approving subdivisions or amalgamations, and allowing commercial use of society property. Restrictions also reportedly cover development expenditure, new appointments and the appointment of legal advisers without the required authorisation. Financial controls form another part of the instructions. Societies are reportedly required to operate bank accounts through joint signatures, while payments exceeding Rs 500 must be made through crossed cheques. Expenditure above Rs 25,000, except employees’ salaries, requires prior approval from the competent authority, according to the report. Administrators must also submit monthly statements detailing their societies’ income and expenditure. The clipping presents these requirements as safeguards intended to improve transparency, protect members’ interests and prevent unauthorised financial decisions. However, it alleges that violations continued after the restrictions were introduced in 2017. Among the societies named in the report are government employees’ housing schemes and other cooperative residential societies across Karachi. Some have reportedly held elections and handed management to elected representatives, while others remain under government administration. The report alleges that no substantial action had been taken against administrators over the violations it describes. The provincial cooperatives secretary reportedly said he had recently assumed charge and would respond after examining the matter. The clipping does not provide detailed responses from the individual administrators or societies named, nor does it establish the outcome of the reported cases and investigations. For society members and prospective purchasers, the central concern is whether disputed transactions were properly authorised and supported by verified records. The reported Rs 1 trillion figure represents an estimate of the value of land involved in disputes; it should not be interpreted as an established financial loss. The allegations and valuation remain attributed to the newspaper report, pending examination of the underlying departmental correspondence, society records and any relevant judicial findings.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

The ownership of nearly 114,000 acres of land across Pakistan has been formally transferred to Pakistan Railways in a major step towards protecting national assets, establishing clear legal ownership and improving transparency in government land records.

According to the information provided, the initiative was undertaken in line with Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif's vision and through the efforts of the Chairman of the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).

Federal Minister for Railways Muhammad Hanif Abbasi also provided special attention and oversight to facilitate the process of transferring the land's legal ownership to Pakistan Railways.

The division-wise details show that 19,797 acres of land in Lahore Division, 16,114 acres in Rawalpindi Division and 14,675 acres in Peshawar Division have been transferred to Pakistan Railways.

Similarly, the ownership transfer covers 29,454 acres in Multan Division, 10,717 acres in Sukkur Division, 10,970 acres in Karachi Division and 10,771 acres in Quetta Division.

Additionally, 1,026 acres of land in Mughalpura and 269 acres under CFI have been included in the ownership transfer process.

The figures provided for the nine administrative categories total 113,793 acres, representing approximately 114,000 acres of railway land across the country.

The development is being viewed as an important step towards strengthening the legal status of government-owned land and safeguarding valuable public assets.

The correction and formalisation of railway land ownership records are expected to help address administrative issues, clarify ownership rights and support the management of railway properties across different regions.

Pakistan Railways owns valuable land in major commercial, residential and industrial locations throughout the country. Clear legal ownership of these properties could facilitate better land management, protection against unauthorised occupation and future development planning in accordance with applicable rules.

The federal government has already been pursuing measures to identify railway properties, recover encroached land and update official ownership records.

Pakistan Railways and NAB have also been cooperating on initiatives aimed at identifying and protecting railway properties in different parts of the country.

However, the transfer of legal ownership and the physical recovery of illegally occupied land are separate administrative and legal processes. The latest development primarily concerns the correction and formal transfer of land ownership records.

The initiative forms part of broader efforts to strengthen the protection, management and transparency of public land assets while improving Pakistan Railways' control over its legally owned properties.

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan

Pakistan is seeking investment from US financial institutions for its oil refinery modernisation programme as the country moves to strengthen bilateral energy cooperation with Washington and improve its capacity to meet domestic fuel demand.

Federal Minister for Petroleum Ali Pervaiz Malik discussed investment opportunities in Pakistan's refining sector during a meeting with US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie A. Baker on October 26.

According to an official statement, the meeting focused on expanding cooperation in the energy sector, attracting American investment, ensuring uninterrupted fuel supplies and exploring opportunities for liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports from the United States.

Malik informed the US envoy that Pakistan was pursuing a major refinery upgradation programme aimed at introducing modern refining technologies, improving petroleum product quality and increasing domestic production.

He said the programme offered significant investment opportunities for US financial institutions and could contribute to Pakistan's long-term energy security.

The petroleum minister highlighted challenges arising from the evolving geopolitical situation, particularly the ongoing conflict in the Middle East, which had complicated global fuel availability and increased the importance of measures to ensure uninterrupted energy supplies.

Pakistan has already made progress on its refinery modernisation programme. In September 2026, four of the country's five domestic oil refineries signed formal agreements with the government to upgrade their refining facilities.

The participating companies include Attock Refinery Limited, National Refinery Limited, Pakistan Refinery Limited and Cnergyico Pakistan Limited.

The projects are expected to attract approximately $5 billion in investment over the next five years. The planned upgrades aim to improve refining efficiency, enhance petroleum product quality, increase domestic fuel production and reduce dependence on imported petroleum products.

During the meeting, US Chargé d’Affaires Natalie Baker expressed Washington's willingness to strengthen cooperation with Pakistan in addressing its energy requirements.

She appreciated Pakistan's efforts to maintain fuel supplies despite regional disruptions and emphasised the importance of creating investment and commercial opportunities for American companies.

Baker also expressed optimism about the possibility of establishing long-term energy supply contracts between the two countries, saying such arrangements could provide mutual benefits and open new business opportunities for US firms.

Managing directors of Pakistan State Oil (PSO) and Pakistan LNG Limited (PLL) briefed the meeting on the interest shown by American companies in supplying LNG to Pakistan.