SECP Talk Series highlights the potential of Real Estate Investment Trusts to mobilise investment, improve transparency and finance infrastructure development.
Islamabad, October 27, 2026: Regulated Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) can help bring Pakistan’s property market into the formal economy and connect real estate with capital markets, provided the sector has transparent valuations, sound governance and simpler tax rules, speakers said at a Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP) Talk Series session.
Commissioner Imtiaz Haider said REITs could mobilise private investment for infrastructure projects, including motorways, bridges, energy parks and logistics hubs. He also proposed exploring REITs to unlock value from existing public assets and finance development projects, according to an SECP press release issued on Tuesday.
Presentations showed that Pakistan had 29 registered REIT schemes by March 2026, with an aggregate fund size of Rs173.1 billion in December 2025. Globally, 1,021 listed REITs had a combined market capitalisation of US$2.04 trillion at the end of 2024.
Zahid Latif Khan, Chairman of ISE REIT Management Company Limited, highlighted the Rs5.67 billion ISE Towers Rental REIT and outlined opportunities for rental, developmental, hybrid and parking REITs in Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
Muhammad Ejaz, Chief Executive of Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited, presented Dolmen City REIT and Globe Residency REIT as local examples. Dolmen City REIT had a market capitalisation of Rs86.88 billion as of September 30, 2026, while occupancy at both properties exceeded 97%.
Ejaz called for rationalising property transfer duties and taxes and reviewing investment limits to encourage sector growth.
Speakers cautioned that REIT returns and liquidity are not guaranteed, emphasising independent valuations, trustee oversight, transparent disclosures and investor awareness as essential to building confidence.
SECP Chairman Dr Kabir Ahmed Sidhu, other commissioners, business leaders, students and lawyers attended the session.