The Pakistan Employees Cooperative Housing Society (PECHS) was initially launched in 1989, and has over the years emerged as a prominent avenue for long term investment. Just as is typical of any housing society, the scope of development here, both internally and externally, has allowed the value of properties here to rise significantly.
Developments and market expectations
The external development is primarily concerned with how the overall area in which the housing society is located has developed. For PECHS, this has come with the inauguration of the Islamabad International Airport, a project that had garnered the attention of various investors ever since the news first came up. The prices therefore, during these speculative months increased monumentally. As could be expected, the prices peaked during this time and further expansion is expected to come only when another development scheme is launched.
The sudden hike in prices has been followed with a slight decrease in prices, and overall sluggishness in the market. This can be attributed to the low activity by investors during Ramazan, and the expectations surrounding general election scheduled to be held during July. These variables will contribute to various changes in the economy, and it will be only after these that something could be said with certainty.
According to Mian Aslam, from Mian Brothers Marketing, prices are expected to increase in the coming months as the Motorway Link on Kashmir Highway extension opens. Aslam has predicted that as this will provide a direct link to PECHS through Mumtaz City, greater connectivity will allow residents easy passage and increase the value of property. On the other hand, Ayyan Khokhar from Fatima Associates has noted that because of Ramazan, very few investors are in the market, whereas more property is available for buying. Resultantly, the prices have decreased.
Prices
PECHS offers both residential and commercial properties. Possession of residential properties is available in Blocks K and M, and in some parts of C. The prices of these are:
| Plot Size | Price (in PKR) Blocks K&M |
| 5-marla | 1,800,000-2,200,000 |
| 7-marla | 2,300,000-2,600,000 |
| 9-marla | 2,500,000-2,800,000 |
| 10-marla | 2,800,000-3,300,000 |
| 1-kanal | 3,800,000-5,500,000 |
In Blocks, F, G, H and some parts of C, possession isn’t available and plots are of much larger sizes. 10-marla plots cost PKR 1,800,000-2,200,000; 1-kanal plots are PKR 3,000,000-4,000,000; and 2-kanal plots are priced at PKR 8,000,000- 10,000,000.
On the other hand, commercial properties are located in Blocks K and M, which are relatively new blocks, whereas for the older sectors, the commercial centre is in Block C.
The prices quoted above are those that have only recently declined. Aslam predicts that these will rise slightly just days after Eid, because that’s when most overseas Pakistanis or the local residents visit the city and want to make real estate ventures here. While commenting on the overall market activity, both Aslam and Khokhar believe that it will take about 4-5 months for the market to record any substantial activity.
However, as the prices are relatively stable and the market expected to swing back up in a matter of few months, investing in PECHS is the way forward. If you are looking for medium to long term investment, PECHS is the project for you.
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