Mansoor Sadiq

Despite increased construction costs and escalated taxation, premium houses and gated communities are becoming popular in Pakistan. As per data compiled by real estate developers, so far more than 1,000 gated communities have been developed across Pakistan in response to rising demand from upwardly mobile Pakistanis. Gated communities have become an attraction for the rising middle class in the country with modern infrastructure facilities including well-built wide roads and a reliable supply of water and electricity. Additionally, they offer state-of-the-art amenities such as schools, hospitals, mosques, restaurants, theatres, shopping malls and parks in secure communities. Gated communities are being offered at multiple price points and payment plans that suit not just the rich but also the middle-class buyers.

They offer flats, townhouses and single-family homes on sizes ranging from 125 square yards to 2,000 square yards. These communities are fuelling a construction boom in Pakistan. Defence Housing Authority (DHA), Bahria Town, Eden Housing, Emaar Properties (of UAE) and Ghurair-Giga (of UAE) are among the biggest developers of gated communities in Pakistan. In addition to major Pakistani cities of Karachi, Lahore and Islamabad, new gated communities are being developed in second and third-tier cities across the country. Saima Saleem, Media Manager at Imarat, Pakistan’s leading real-estate and property developer, said while talking to WealthPK that the majority of potential homebuyers prefer to live in gated communities as they are famous for their safe and secure environment, comfort, proper management, and considerably higher property values.

She elaborated that in Pakistan, living in a gated housing community gained momentum when the country faced security-related issues. First-time homebuyers wished to purchase a house in a residential area that was secure from potential security threats, and provide quality living for its residents. Most homebuyers aim to buy a house where all the basic amenities of urban life are offered to residents, including well-established commercial areas. Since 1980, Pakistan’s share of gated communities raised significantly and large real estate developers like Bahria Town and DHA lead the market by providing gated housing communities to the local residential real estate investors.

Saima viewed that the real-estate sector in Pakistan owns massive potential to become the largest contributor to the country’s gross domestic product (GDP) as more than 200 industries come under its umbrella, which can run the wheels of the economy in a viable way. Abid Malik, a resident of Bharia Town, told WealthPK that access to basic amenities is easy and convenient for its residents. He said schools, hospitals, shopping centres, and all other facilities are available to the resident community at just a stone’s throw. Abid said advanced gated communities offer some of the most upscale facilities like golf courses, cinemas, well-maintained zoos, and security, and these measures bring investor satisfaction.

Credit: INP-WealthPk