Dream Home expo attracting hopefuls in large numbers

Islamabad : The residents of not only Islamabad and Rawalpindi but also of the adjoining areas thronged the Dream Home Expo on its second day at the Pakistan-China Friendship Centre here on Saturday.

As the visitors went from one stall to another to learn from the representatives of the country’s major builders and developers about their previous, current and future projects and seek guidance on the available house building and real estate investment options, many of them availed themselves of a variety of amazing property deals.

The organisers expect a larger crowd on the last day of the event today (Sunday).

The expo, the largest of its kind in the country being held for the fifth consecutive year under the auspices of the Jang Media Group, features around 100 real estate builders, developers, and dealers.

The stallholders appreciated the holding of the expo and said it not only helped them market their products and services but also highlighted the nationwide real estate investment opportunities, the issues and challenges, and their solutions.

They said the private sector was ready to help the government meet the country’s housing needs.

Bahria Town Property Dealers Association chairman Chaudhry Muhammad Mushtaq appreciated the Jang Media Group for holding the expo and said the annual event served the interests of the real estate sector and the common man.

He asked the government to come up with clear, friendly and flexible policies for the housing sector to ensure its development.

Chaudhry Mushtaq said builders and developers were willing to follow all rules and regulations, and pay all taxes but they just needed facilitation on part of the government for it.

Wajid Zaki, the CEO of AWJ Marketing, said his company had brought the Pearl Mall and Residency project in Bahria Town, Phase-VIII, Rawalpindi, to the expo promising an ideal initiative for property buyers and investors, and got a good response from visitors in the form of bookings.

He said the real estate sector had become stable after suffering from a prolonged bad patch and there was a good likelihood of vast investments being made in it in the days ahead.

“Our most issues are related to the complicated tax system and if the government ensures their effective resolution and facilitates us, the sector will certainly attract heavy investments not only from within the country but also from abroad,” he said.

Most visitors were families, which were on the lookout for home or investment opportunities.

“It’s been a good experience to be here. I went to many stalls and put queries to the representatives of builders, developers, and marketing companies about their projects in Islamabad. They all responded to my satisfaction and even offered special packages suiting my need and pocket,” said Jamal Khan, a private organisation's employee.

Muhammad Akram, a government employee, said the expo brought the country’s leading builders and developers under one roof to provide the people with the best possible solutions to their housing issues.

He said he had shown up to explore options for investment in real estate and would return satisfied with the response of stallholders.

The visitors stressed the need for public-private partnerships for low-cost housing schemes for low-income groups.