Karachi Division

Islamabad | ReNews Pakistan
Pakistan has offered Kazakhstan access to Karachi Port, Port Qasim and Gwadar Port while seeking joint ventures between companies of the two countries in shipping, logistics and coastal free zones.
The proposal aims to provide Kazakhstan and other landlocked Central Asian countries with maritime access to markets in the Persian Gulf, Africa and Southeast Asia through Pakistani ports.
The offer was discussed during a meeting between Federal Minister for Maritime Affairs Muhammad Junaid Anwar Chaudhry and Kazakhstan’s Ambassador to Pakistan Yerzhan Kistafin. The two sides reviewed opportunities to expand bilateral trade, cargo transit and maritime transport cooperation.
The maritime minister said Pakistani ports could serve as major commercial and transit hubs for Kazakhstan and the wider Central Asian region. Access to these ports could provide Central Asian businesses with shorter and more efficient maritime routes to international markets.
The two sides also discussed possible joint ventures in coastal free zones to unlock the commercial potential of Pakistan’s ports. Investment opportunities could include warehouses, cargo terminals, cold storage facilities, container handling, shipping services and industrial infrastructure.
The government believes partnerships between Pakistani and foreign companies could improve port capacity and help position the country as a regional centre for logistics and transit trade.
Access for Kazakh cargo could create new business opportunities for port operators, shipping companies, transport businesses, freight forwarders and warehousing service providers in Pakistan.
If implemented, the proposal could increase cargo volumes, transit fee income and demand for supporting commercial services at Pakistani ports. It could also encourage industrial and logistics investment around Gwadar, Karachi Port and Port Qasim.
Pakistan and Kazakhstan agreed to strengthen engagement in ports, maritime transport, regional connectivity and trade facilitation. However, final details regarding the transit arrangement, investment commitments and proposed joint ventures have not yet been announced.

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.