Pakistan has long relied on its overseas citizens to fuel the economy through remittances, reinvestment, and quiet resilience.
In 2024 alone, overseas Pakistanis sent home over $30 billion, one of the highest totals globally. These funds aren’t just lifelines for families; they fuel demand, drive construction, and prop up housing markets.
But what if this would be treated as an exportable industry?
When a House Functions Like a Product
Traditional exports are tangible: textiles, rice, surgical tools. But exports can also mean bringing foreign capital into local industries. That’s what happens when a Pakistani in Toronto or Doha buys a home in Lahore: the buyer is global, the product is local, and the value remains within the country.
The Philippines offers a clear benchmark. According to the Philippine Statistics Authority, remittances exceeded $36 billion in 2023, backed by dedicated legal, housing, and banking channels for overseas workers. They turned human capital into an export — and designed a system around it.
The Scale Is Already There
Pakistan has over 11 million citizens settled abroad — around six million in the Gulf alone — according to The News International. A large portion of their remittances flows into property, often through informal or cash-based channels.
A 2021 State Bank of Pakistan working paper highlighted that a substantial portion of remittance inflows are channeled into housing and construction finance, making real estate one of the leading uses of diaspora money domestically
Identity and Intent
Property purchases by overseas Pakistanis are often driven by more than investment logic. Many see a home in Pakistan as a way to preserve family roots, safeguard culture, and create something lasting for future generations.
Learning From Global Examples
Vietnam has become a prime destination for foreign real estate investment in Southeast Asia. In 2022, FDI into Vietnam’s real estate sector surged 70% year-over-year, totalling about $4.45 billion, making it the second-largest recipient of FDI in that year — behind manufacturing, according to the Ministry of Planning and Investment and reported by Vietnam Economy. This influx was driven by legal reforms that allowed foreigners to obtain long-term leases and equal rights to locals — a pivotal shift that expanded the sector’s appeal. According to Forbes, even during the pandemic, Vietnam’s real estate market showed remarkable resilience, with apartment prices in Ho Chi Minh City increasing by 12.8% in 2020 alone.
According to a 2024 Reuters report, Portugal’s Golden Visa programme has attracted over €7.3 billion in foreign investment since its launch in 2012. Even as the programme winds down, property investment remains strong due to Portugal’s branding as a safe, high-quality destination for long-term living and investment.
The Road Ahead for Pakistan
Pakistan isn’t starting from scratch. In 2024–25, a string of reforms has begun to lay the foundation for formalised diaspora investment:
- IMF-backed tax reforms aimed at regulating the sector
- Digitisation of land records and push for transparency
- Privatisation approvals (e.g., PIA and Roosevelt Hotel) signalling improved investor governance
- Inflation stabilised at 3.5% in May, with remittances strong and reserves rising
As Barron’s noted, Pakistan’s economy is seeing a “mini-miracle.” That momentum must now be channelled into sectors that convert trust into long-term capital.
A Different Kind of Export
This isn’t about exporting bricks. It’s about importing belief. When a Pakistani abroad puts down dollars in a secure, well-governed real estate asset — that is capital inflow, consumer confidence, and national image building, all rolled into one.
Done right, real estate could become Pakistan’s next great export — rooted in heritage, enabled by regulation, and powered by identity.
One Homes: Bridging Capital and Culture
At One Homes, we’ve always seen real estate as more than property — it’s a bridge between worlds. By building globally benchmarked residences for overseas Pakistanis, we’re helping formalise a new kind of export: one that brings the world home through trust, transparency, and timeless value.
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