Pakistan Property & Real Estate News

Is it right time to invest in real estate?

KARACHI - Most of the real estate dealers are claiming that it was the right time to make investment in the property as the prices are on the lowest and affordable side and there are strong chances of upsurge in prices at the end of this calendar year.

The real estate dealers said that the political situation is expected to improve in next two to three months that would encourage investment in this sector, leading to improvement in prices.

They said that at present the stock market was facing the worst recession and the best way to make investment was the real estate sector. Yunus Rizvi, representative of United Defence Clifton State Agents said that the people who were making investment in Dubai and Malaysia might lose the chance of earning a handsome profit expected from investment in real estate in Pakistan in coming months.

He pointed out that the UAE based mega real estate entities, Emaar, Alghurair Giga, Creek Land and Damac Property had undertaken real estate development projects in Pakistan as they expect boom in this business in the years ahead. These companies make planning on the basis of their 10 to 20 years assessment and their hectic involvement was a strong evidence of improvement in real estate business and prices, he added.

Chief Executive Fazaiya Estate Hidayat Ali said that the newly-introduced DHA Valley Scheme in Islamabad has attracted an overwhelming response from the investors that was an indication that the people still wanted to make investment in real estate, but they prefer only credible housing projects and schemes. He said the prices of plots and houses have declined by 30-40 per cent in most of the urban areas during the past one and a half years and this was the right time to buy plots and homes.

He hoped that the political situation would improve in the country in next two to three months as a result the property business is expected to take-off gradually with appreciation in prices.

Another dealer said that the big investors were still reluctant to buy stake in the real estate because of instable political situation. Currently, he said, the major investors were making investment in Dubai and showing least interest in Pakistan because of over a year long political mess.

Political uncertainty mars real estate sector

KARACHI: Political uncertainty has hampered the real estate business as the prices of property have witnessed continuous decline during the past 3 months, real estate agents told Daily Times.

Prevailing political turmoil in the country has compelled the estate agents to search for new markets for real estate business, which declined by 20 to 30 percent during the last one month.

Muhammad Amir Samsaam, an estate agent at Clifton, told Daily Times that the property value had been declining for last one year. The property’s value again started to increase before the elections and it seemed that the real estate business would be revived.

But now the prices have declined again and “the prevailing uncertainty in the country has jolted property value and it has witnessed a decline of almost 40 percent to 45 percent during the last 25 to 30 days”, he said. He informed that plots in Defence phase VIII have also shown a decline of almost 35 to 45 percent, as a 2000 yards plots in DHA Phase VIII is available at Rs 5 million as compared to Rs 6 million one month back.

However, some estate agents were of the view that besides the decline in the prices of the plots, there is also little increase in the prices of constructed bunalows because of high cost of construction due to spiked cement and steel prices after the budget.

Amir further said that a 2000 yards plot in PECHS was available at Rs 4.5 billion an year ago. Now it costs at Rs 3.5 billion in the same vicinity. People are selling their plots at lower rates as compared to 2005 because of the fears of further decline. An estate agent in Gulshan-e-Iqbal said that the property rates are on the decline due to the uncertainty and unrest on the political front. “There had been only a paltry sale and purchase activity during last two months,” he lamented.

These conditions have compelled the investors to invest in foreign countries, causing decline in the property’s value. The estate agents and the investors, after cashing opportunities in Pakistan, are now investing in Dubai, Ajman, UAE, and Malaysia, where property business in on the boom. All the reactors were of the view that the prices of property would further drop in case the political situation remains unstable.

Source: [Daily Times News]

New off-plan regulations introduced in Dubai

The Gulf emirate of Dubai has brought in new regulations concerning off-plan development.

In an attempt to provide better regulation, the emirate will now forbid any off-plan sales of unregistered property, Gulf News reports.

Henceforth, all such properties must be registered with the land department, something Abu Ali Malek Shroff, Chairman of Shefield Real Estate, said would be helpful to investors.

He told the paper: "The new law aims to help regulate the emirate's booming real estate sector and boost investor confidence in the property market."

It will particularly help by providing a proof of ownership document to help settle any disputes, he added.

Said Marzooq Al Rashdan, vice-chairman and managing director of boutique developer Abyaar agreed, telling Property Wire that the new rules are in everybody's interests and will prevent unrealistic speculation that leads to excessive price inflation in the market.

Source: [Property Showroom News]

Future Perception of Pakistan Real Estate

Pakistan is quite a part of the nearly global boom of the Real Estate market. The prices have been rising steadily for quite some time now. The property in prime locations of cities like Karachi, Lahore, and Islamabad is in high demand among both realtors and consumers. The prices of such properties are already reaching into the above million US dollars range. A simple one kanal house in a location like Model Town, Gulberg, or Defense can cost anywhere from $200,000 to $500,000. The prices have gone up so rapidly that they are nearly five times of what they used to be around a few years ago. Those who own the property are simply not selling it anymore and are waiting for the prices to go even higher. It remains to be seen whether this waiting and denying willing buyers is going to work out in the long run or if the market will simply fall apart.

Considering the state of the market many people are considering this the best time to invest in Pakistan Real Estate. There are many realtors and firms that are busy buying projects that are going to take years to complete. There are numerous housing societies that are being constructed on the outskirts of many major cities. Most of them are being targeted at the upper end of the market with prices in hundred-thousand ranges. Owners are not selling these properties and when the selling spree begins the prices are going to drop. This will be a rapid reversal of the current trend and bring an end to the Real Estate boom going on in Pakistan today. Another point is that in their eagerness to invest in Real Estate many people are resorting to home loans but a steady increase in the interest rate is causing a good proportion of them to default on their loan. This is again a bad sign for the market.

Buyers must be aware that the market cannot keep rising indefinitely. Eventually there has to be a reversal of the current trend. Among the crowd that is busy investing there are very few original buyers that have any long term plans for what they are doing. Most of the market is made up of small timers who are looking to buy property and quickly sell it when the prices go a bit higher. Society owners are purchasing files in bulk. This will help create an artificial file deficit and enable them to resell them at exorbitant prices. The market experts are already saying that the boom has gone longer than it should have. Already buyers are approaching realtors to help them sell their property. Another fear is that the big time realtors are going in for massive sales to cut their losses while there is time.

While quite a lot of the above is part rumor part speculation it does suggest that the prudent investor might want to consider selling out while the prices are at a peak rather than wait till the market actually begins to reverse its current trend.

Poland appears to be a property investment bright spot in gloomy Europe

Poland is one of the best European property markets despite the credit crunch and likely to experience rising demand, according to two new report.

'The biggest beneficiaries of the growing economy have been major Polish cities like Warsaw, Krakow, and Gdansk, and regional capital cities such as Szczecin and Rzeszow,' according to the Poland Market Performance Report published by Property Secrets.

'These cities have the strongest economies, with the highest GDP per capita, the lowest unemployment, the highest wages and the strongest job creation in their regions,' it says.

The property market has been helped by stricter lending rules. Unlike Western countries, banks in Poland haven't tightened their lending criteria in the last few months as a result of the credit crunch because the lending rules were already highly conservative.

'Proof of full and permanent employment is very much the norm when applying for a mortgage in Poland and self-employed applicants can find it difficult to meet a bank's criteria,' the report points out.

Prices appear to be stable. 'We see a very strong buying opportunity emerging shortly in Poland before it inevitably comes to the end of its plateau phase and demand will rise rapidly again,' says the report.

'It is likely this second wave of growth will occur first in the biggest cities, most notably Warsaw. This is the pattern we have seen in the Czech Republic, where prices in Prague boomed, slowed, reached a plateau and then entered a strong second growth phase.'

The analysis is backed up by investment company Aston Lloyd which puts Poland as one if its top investment opportunities. 'Poland's housing market is significantly larger than other European emerging markets and mortgages are easier to obtain,' its report says.

Best buys include Warsaw where there is high housing demand and profitable long-stay rental opportunities and Krakow which is well suited for rental investor with a housing supply that does not meet the demands of its high earning population.

The Tri-City - three adjacent towns of Gdansk, Gdynia and Sopot on the coast of the Gdansk Bay of the Baltic Sea is another opportunity as it attracts considerable inward investment from companies looking to recruit due to its wealth of educated professionals.

CDA Announces Industrial Estate in I-17

ISLAMABAD - Chairman of Capital Development Authority (CDA) Kamran Lashari has announced to establish another industrial estate in sector I-17 of the federal capital.

Lashari made the pledge during a meeting with the executive body of Islamabad Chamber of Commerce and Industry (ICCI) on Tuesday. Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President ICCI, Khalid Javed, former president of ICCI, and other high officials of the Authority and the Chamber attended the meeting.

The meeting decided that the industrial zone would be developed with the collaboration of ICCI, for which CDA would soon acquire the land. A committee was constituted for preparing the modalities for the development of the sector after acquisition of the land.

The committee comprises Muhammad Ijaz Abbasi, President ICCI, Asadullah Faiz, Director Land and Rehabilitation, CDA and other officials of the two bodies. It was decided that the committee would hold joint meetings on weekly basis, while the first meeting of the committee would be held on August 1, it has been learnt.

Speaking on the occasion, Lashari stressed the need of a high-class technical and vocational institute and urged ICCI to join hands with the civic body for realizing the dream.

He also directed CDA’s Director Land Asadullah Faiz to locate a suitable site for establishment of the institute.

“I have a dream to establish an exemplary institute to produce competent and skilled manpower”, said Chairman of CDA, who requested ICCI to make joint efforts with the Authority to make the dream true. He said the skilled labourers are the real representatives of the country all over the world, who, he said, were earning precious foreign exchange for the country through their hardworking and skills. He said skilled labourers would enhance productivity of the country’s industrial sector and would indirectly contribute to strengthening economy of the country.

Mortgage Rates Drop as Oil Eases

Freddie Mac says 30-year fixed rate fell to 6.52% as the price of oil and gasoline fell this week.

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- Mortgage rates fell slightly this week according to a weekly report released Wednesday, as lower oil prices briefly ease fears of price inflation.

The Primary Mortgage Market Survey from mortgage finance company Freddie Mac said that rates of 30-year fixed-rate mortgages (FRMs) averaged 6.52% for the week ended July 31 with an average 0.7 point discount, down from an average 6.63% last week, and down from an average of 6.68% recorded during the same week last year.

The 15-year FRM averaged 6.07% this week with an average of 0.6 point, down from 6.18% last week, and down from 6.32% last year.

A point, or "discount point," can be purchased at the time of closing to decrease the mortgage rate. Each point costs 1% of the loan amount and each point that a borrower purchases lowers the the loan interest rate.

Five-year adjustable-rate mortgages (ARMs) averaged 6.07% this week, with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it averaged 6.16%. A year ago, the 5-year ARM averaged 6.29%.

One-year ARMs averaged 5.27% this week with an average 0.6 point, down from last week when it was 5.49%. At this time last year, the 1-year ARM averaged 5.59%.

"Mortgage rates moved lower this week as a drop in commodity prices eased market concerns over inflation pressures," said Freddie Mac chief economist Frank Nothaft in a statement.

The price of gasoline at the pump continued to fall below $4 a gallon as crude oil prices have fallen nearly $23 a barrel over the past several weeks from its peak of $147.27 on July 11.

"Yes, there is some influence in hope for less inflation pressure, but we'd need a more extended period of these softening prices" to see a significant decline, said Keith Gumbinger, vice president of HSHAssociates.com, an online publisher of consumer loan information.

Musharraf awards 9,000 plots in Hawkesbay scheme

President Pervez Musharraf vowed to pull Pakistan out of the mire of political turbulence and extremism. He declared this at the balloting ceremony of 9,000 plots in Hawkesbay Scheme No. 42, a project of the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), held at Governor House on Saturday.

Governor Dr Ishratul Ebad, City Nazim Mustafa Kamal, Naib Nazim Nasreen Jalil, provincial ministers and LDA DG Agha Maqsood Abbas were present.

The president, who was invited as chief guest, said that there is an urgent need to solve political issues and root out extremism from Pakistan if it is to survive and move forward.

“Pakistan came into being for the Muslims of South Asia and it will live forever,” he said.

Referring to the balloting, the president said that his mission has always been to work for the poor and this was the fourth time that he was chairing a balloting ceremony. While pointing out that 120,000 plots have been sold so far through different ballot schemes, Musharraf announced that an additional 100,000 small plots will be made available in Taisar Town so that more poor people will benefit.

He said that while he was flying over the Lyari River, he saw people living on the riverbed and surrounded by sewerage water. He said that these people were given land and money so that they too were able to live in decent conditions.

He appreciated the dynamism of Governor Dr Ishrat-ul- Ebad and City Nazim Mustafa Kamal for thinking on the right lines and said that their efforts to provide shelter to the poor must be acknowledged by all.

While referring to various development projects in Karachi, including housing schemes, construction of bridges, flyovers, underpasses and new roads, improvements in the sewerage system, recreational projects like the Bagh Ibn-e-Qasim, Quaid-e-Azam Park and the Beach Park and new water projects like K-III etc, the president applauded the governor and nazim for their role and encouraged them to keep up the good work.

During the electronic balloting, 5,000 240-sq yard plots and 4,000 400-sq yard plots in Hawkesbay Scheme 42 were sold.

The governor said that this was a continuation of the eight-year old vision of President Musharraf. He said that since the revival of the Taisar Town housing scheme after a period of 30 years, more than 100,000 plots in the scheme have been awarded to deserving people.

Ebad also acknowledged the CDGK’s harmonious relationship with Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani while carrying out this social welfare task. He said that Sindh’s coalition government understands that peace and harmony are necessary to ensure prosperity to the poor.

City Nazim Mustafa Kamal appreciated Dr Ebad’s personal interest in the Hawkesbay scheme and said that this could be gauged from the governor’s repeated visits to the area, which ensured that it has proper roads and electricity. He promised that sewerage and water facilities will be soon provided too.

Kamal pointed out that over 31,000 applications have been received from people falling under various categories, including general public, civil servants, retired employees, widows, orphans and overseas Pakistanis for the 9,000 plots about nine months back. An error-free and transparent system was adopted by NADRA for allotment purposes.

He also credited MQM Chief Altaf Hussain for bringing the middle class to the fore of welfare schemes. Kamal said that the city government has so far given 125,000 plots, for which credit goes to his whole team, which includes its leader, the president.

Sindh government disowns residential project: During her press conference the Sindh Information Minister, Shazia Marri said that the provincial government has no link with residential project announced by the Lyari Development Authority at Hawkesbay scheme- 42. According to her, the city nazim had not consulted the Sindh chief minister or the local government minister about the land. app/staff report

Types of Real Estate in Pakistan

Sale of real estate in Pakistan

Sale of real estate in Pakistan normally takes place through a title document known as a Sale Deed, except in certain cases e.g. purchase of real estate in Defence Housing Authority (DHA) or in a housing society where sale deed is not executed for transfer of title in real estate and an allotment letter/transfer letter from the authority or the society, as the case may be, is deemed to be the title document. Some people, before execution of the sale deed, may opt to execute an agreement to sell. However, such agreement to sell does not transfer title to a property in favor of the vendee. It, nevertheless, does create a right in favor of the vendee, in case the vendor refuses to honor the terms and conditions of the agreement, to seek specific enforcement of the agreement to sell. Title in an immovable property is only deemed to transfer once such Sale Deed or title document has been executed. A sale deed must be affixed with requisite stamp duty and it must be registered with the relevant sub-registrar. After registration of the Sale Deed with the sub-registrar it must be ensured that a mutation of such sale is entered in the register of mutations kept and maintained by patwari.

Purchase of real estate in Pakistan

Before purchasing a real estate in Pakistan a complete and thorough search in respect of title of the seller to the real estate must be carried out. A general practice is to investigate title of the current vendor and any previous owner(s) for the last 20 years. Original title document in favor of the vendor must be obtained along with other relevant documents including mutation in favor of the vendor, a fresh copy of fard, aks shajra and NOC/NEC as the case may be.

If the vendor is selling the property in the capacity of an attorney of the owner then it must be ensured that the power of attorney is affixed with appropriate stamp duty and it has been duly registered with the relevant sub-registrar. If possible, contact should be made with the owner(s) of the property and authenticity of the power of attorney must be confirmed. A holder of a forged and fabricated power of attorney may not be able to transfer a valid title in an immovable property to a third party.

Non-resident Pakistanis, overseas Pakistan and foreigners may also purchase immovable property in Pakistan. Their presence in Pakistan at the time of execution of the title document is not necessary.

Lease / Renting out of Real Estate in Pakistan

Landlord's point of view Landlord must ensure that lease of an immovable property is executed in writing. Lease of immovable property for a period of less than a year does not require compulsory registration. However, lease of immovable property for a period of more than a year must be registered.

If the tenant refuses to pay rent or for any other reason as stated in the lease agreement and allowed under the law the landlord may terminate the lease. If the tenant refuses to vacate the premises the landlord may file an ejectment petition before the relevant rent controller.

Tenant's point of view

Tenant must ensure that he makes payment of the rent either through a crossed cheque or where payment is made through some other mode then a receipt must be obtained from the landlord. In case the landlord unlawfully or unjustifiably attempts to evict the tenant the tenant may file a petition before rent controller in addition to availing other legal remedies as advised by his counsel.

Gift of Real Estate in Pakistan

Gift of real estate in Pakistan must be made in writing. There is, however, a qualification to this general rule in case of a Mohammedan. A Mohammedan may make an oral gift of an immovable property. Although allowed under law it is not recommended to make oral gifts of immovable property because it may become difficult to prove an oral gift. Where a gift deed is executed it must be affixed with appropriate stamp duty and it must be registered.

An oral gift, in case of a Mohammedan, takes effect if all three of these under mentioned conditions are satisfied:

Declaration of gift;

Acceptance of the gift by the donnee during the lifetime of the donor transfer of possession of the subject matter of the gift by the donor to the donnee. Once all of the above-mentioned conditions are satisfied then the fact of a gift is deemed to be established.

Mortgage of Real Estate in Pakistan

Legal mortgage

A legal mortgage in respect of an immobile property may be created after execution of a mortgage deed. A mortgage deed must be affixed with appropriate stamp duty and it must be registered with the relevant sub-registrar.

Equitable mortgage

An equitable mortgage in respect of an immovable property may be created simply by deposit of original title documents e.g. sale deed, allotment letter etc. with the mortgagor. It is not required to be registered, however, a general practice is to get a lien marked in respect of such mortgage.

Source: [Victoria Housing News]

Expo '08: Illiteracy main hurdle in entering estate industry

LAHORE - The participants of the 1st Property Expo 2008 in collaboration with Nawa-i-Waqt have termed the final day as real success as lot of visitors turned up to have interaction with over 70 real estate giants especially from Dubai, Ajman and Pakistan.

Number of visitors got to know the way of working and achievements of international real estate developments.

The Promotional Product Association of Pakistan (PPAP) believed that there was a lack of educated people in this industry, which was one of the reasons to enter estate industry and provide consumer the right information and knowledge about it. They said that right information led to right investment and that’s how we have succeeded and maintained long term relationships with our customers.

The associates at the Chouhan Estate stall said that their country homes, was a new concept of farmhouse living and fulltime modern home in a single address. They said that Country Homes would have an easy access to the future Ring Road too. Teams of brilliant architects, designers and artisans have meticulously created this exclusive haven with only 92 villas encompassing 600 kanals of land.

Exceptionally private and gated with 24-hour security, privileged entry, this is surely an affordable luxury with perfectly set neighbourhood. Its architectural design maximises natural light to interior space whilst increasing insulation quality. Superb finishes and fixtures, imported doors and wardrobes, marble flooring, designer fittings for bathrooms and kitchen, termite proofing, energy efficient insulation system to name the least, make these homes a box of convenience and luxury. Paved footpaths, mettle paved roads, underground electricity, gas supply, streetlights, flawless sewerage system, community water supply and an array of other amenities will complete the script inside and outside the each villa.

GSS Group Holding associates said that Global Secure Solutions (GSS) was focusing on efforts in providing unrivalled products and services to the customers and built a positive relationship with clients all over the globe. They said that the group was proud of their hard earned reputation amongst the clients as one of the leading Group in UAE. The scope of their coverage has gone from strength-to-strength, spanning all over the Middle East, Africa, Indian sub-continent and establishing their footprints in Europe, USA and other Emerging global markets. The Dubai based group encompasses business units in Real Estate Development, Hospitality, IT, Trading, Interiors, Electro mechanical, Plumbing, Automobiles, Logistics and Security services. Its business activities span around the globe and offices in more than seven countries, headquartered in Dubai - UAE and regional offices in Qatar, Bahrain, Kuwait, Germany, Brazil, USA. The prominent stall was Dubai Sport City’s majestic skyline, the sumptuous apartment scheme saying of boast luxury health clubs fitted with the latest equipment and a breathtaking swimming pool, along with a considerable range of superior services, unique parking facilities and professional security. The parking facility offers car lovers a unique concept that includes parking sensors in your secured parking area.

New Home Sales Stronger than Expected

NEW YORK (CNNMoney.com) -- New home sales fell in June, the government said Friday, but the annual rate was stronger than economists expected.

The Census Bureau reported Friday that June sales of new single-family homes came in at a seasonally adjusted annual rate of 530,000, down 0.6% from May's revised reading of 533,000.

That revision was significant; the original May reading was 512,000.

The June figure was much higher than the economists' consensus forecast of 505,000, as compiled by Briefing.com.

Despite the monthly sales decrease, economists and investors reacted favorably because the upward revisions in previous months indicated a stronger market than previously believed.

"Sales were off slightly on the month, but the big story was the 50,000 sales added to the previous three months," said Adam York, economic analyst at Wachovia, in a written statement.

"While we are not ready to call a bottom, this is certainly a positive sign," said York.

Sales have declined 33.2% from the year-earlier rate of 793,000, the government said.

"People are still very afraid to commit," said Timothy Speiss, partner in charge at Wealth Advisers Practice, Eisner, LLP. With rising food and energy prices, mounting inflation concerns, and shrinking retirement portfolios, "people do not feel as wealthy, people do not feel as confident going into a home buying situation," he said.

"People are still in shock," said Speiss as they look at their increasing daily and monthly costs and decreasing assets. "Now when they look at a house, they have to think, do I want to take the plunge?"

The median sales price of new houses sold in June 2008 was $230,900, which is 1.4% higher than the revised median sales price of $227,700 from a month ago, but still 2% lower from the median house price of $235,500 from a year ago.

The average sale price for June was $298,600, which was $300, or 0.1%, lower than the revised average sales price of $298,900 in May. Compared with a year earlier, the average sale price has fallen 2.6% from $306,500.

"Mortgage rates were up in June - and have since moved even higher - threatening to offset much of the gains we have seen in affordability in recent months," said Wachovia's York.

The seasonally adjusted estimate of new homes for sale at the end of June was 426,000, which represented a 10-month supply of housing inventory at the current sales rate.

That was 3.8% smaller than the revised 10.4-month supply of housing inventory in May. The inventory of new homes available for sale was 20.5% higher than the 8.3-month supply of housing inventory reported in June 2007.

The National Association of Realtors reported Thursday that sales of existing slowed more than expected last month to their lowest level in 10 years. Sales by homeowners dipped to an annual pace of 4.86 million, down 2.6% from a pace of 4.99 million in May.

Land Record Documentation System Recommended

The policy and research findings launched by Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI) on Thursday has been jointly funded by Actionaid-Pakistan, International Development Research Centre (IDRC) and International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD).

Senior Advisor to the Prime Minister on Social Sectors, Shahnaz Wazir Ali, while giving presidential address on the occasion recommended land record documentation system, formation of land courts, national identity cards for women and land redistribution. She lamented that government policies in the past have been very weak in terms of addressing women’s structural concerns, adding that the focus of all policies have been on financial approaches alone while ignoring the broader social aspects.

Wajiha Anwar, while giving presentation on ‘Women’s land rights: Law and policy’ said “The most important change would be to bring inheritance and other family laws under a secular civil code, which would enable the State to enact gender-neutral laws. Even keeping within the confines of Muslim Personal Law, the State could ensure that men and women get equal shares in inheritance as in the case of Turkey and Somalia where male and female children inherit equally from the father’s estate”.

“Inheritance and ownership of family property matters should be decided by special courts so that delay is minimised. Women should have the right to immovable property, as dower and the property should be transferred to the women at the time of Nikah. Any property acquired during marriage should be jointly owned”.

She also suggested that, if a woman provides land security for a loan she should be given concessional credit. This would encourage transfer of property to the woman’s name.

Secretary, Law and Justice Commission of Pakistan Dr Faqir Hussain laid stress on enforcement of inheritance law adding that such an improved mechanism can be useful for the full and effective enforcement of female right to inheritance. He informed that not even 10 percent of women get their due right to property. He stressed to implement the law in the areas of FATA & FANA as well.

Earlier, SDPI visiting research fellow, Dr Saba Gul Khattak gave a brief presentation on the key findings and recommendations of SDPI study adding that we believe that there are windows of opportunity, gaps and spaces that can be utilized effectively by the state, the parliament, the judiciary, and development practitioners to push for women’s rights to land. For food security and women’s traditional agricultural knowledge, it underlines the need to preserve women’s knowledge about agricultural systems and suggests build upon this knowledge to effectively deal with the present out-migration phenomenon and current global food crises which is likely to bring focus of the world economy to agriculture as there is a growing realization that local and indigenous farming practices are integral to sustainable agricultural output.

On devolution and local bodies, the study pinpoints that the local councilors be used to play a role in land disputes or for ensuring equitable distribution of inheritance and minimizing fraudulent methods of land capture.

Regarding agricultural labor, the study underscores that the agricultural work should be brought into the fold of formal economy so it could be regulated and workers could be protected. Women’s contribution would thus be recognized and valued, and the multiple issues of agricultural labor could be addressed more effectively, it further adds.