Islamabad is the capital of Pakistan. It is situated on the Pothohar Plateau in the northern side of the country. The name Islamabad means ‘City of Islam.’ Owing to the fact it’s the capital and houses a number of government buildings, such as the Parliament House, as well as houses of government officials. Pakistan Secretariat, which is the headquarters for the Cabinet and Government of Pakistan, is also located on the Constitution Avenue. The city has a population of 1,014,825 according to the 2017 census. It is known for its peaceful environment and picturesque landscape. The city also has a stable economy, therefore, it’s understandable why it is considered one of the best markets for buying properties in the country. You can find a plethora of bungalows and houses in nice localities, however, for those with a limited budget, apartments can be a smart choice. Buying property in Islamabad requires some research, though, as there are many options to explore.
The Islamabad Expressway became a signal free corridor in 2018. This development significantly added to the worth of land in neighbouring housing projects. Also, since the New Islamabad International Airport has been built, more tourists, travellers and investors have shown interest in the real estate market of the city.
Apartments in Islamabad usually come with convenient down payment and easy instalment plans. Prices, of course, vary according to location, size and number of bedrooms as well as other components like the availability of utilities. For individuals looking for smaller spaces, for example, 1-bedroom flats, Ideas Tower in B-17 might be a good place, to begin with. Plus, it is only a few minutes drive away from GT Road, New Islamabad International Airport and the CPEC Motorway Interchange. As of December 2018, it is under development. It is expected to be a high-rise apartment building with 13 storeys. There are also 2,3 and 4-bedroom luxury apartments available, in case you need a bigger space. The project will feature a gymnasium, spa, swimming pool, children’s play area, rooftop restaurant along with surveillance cameras for security purposes. If you are looking for buying a 2-bed flat in Islamabad, then you can visit Pakistan Housing Foundation (PHF). There are also furnished apartments in Karakoram Greens available for sale, only a 10-minute drive away from the New Islamabad International Airport. It is a project by Gulberg Greens and the Intelligence Bureau Employee's Cooperative Housing Society (IBECHS). It will be situated within the Gulberg Greens Housing Society near the Islamabad Highway. This expressway is almost a 6 lane, signal-free corridor, covering the distance from Islamabad to the Grand Trunk (GT) road. Areas surrounding the Islamabad Highway have become prime locations for investment purposes. The project of Karakoram Greens Islamabad spreads over 25 acres of land —75% of which will be reserved for growing trees and flowers, while only 25% will comprise an apartment complex. The building will have studio apartments, 2,3,4-bedroom apartments, duplex houses and penthouses.
If you have a flexible budget, then you might want to explore Ecstasy Apartments in F-18. This society has introduced new facilities like smart home solution and solar power electricity supply. It offers 1,2,3 and 4-bed luxury apartments on sale. Every apartment contains in-unit smart taps to conserve water. There is a smart keyless entry to the apartment building with remote access for guests. There are smart wi-fi enabled switches that can remotely operate the lights and other devices within the apartment. Interestingly, the parking access for residents is provided through smart number plate recognition system. Plus, there are surveillance cameras and an intruder alert system to ensure the safety of residents.
There are 3-bed flats available for sale in Margalla Hills in E-11. The complex offers attached bathrooms with imported fittings, a lounge, store and kitchen. Italian porcelain tiles have been used in the bathroom walls while imported German wooden floors are used in bedrooms. In Islamabad, multiple flats are also available in the posh locality of DHA ranging from studio apartments to 4-bedroom flats. Since it is a gated community with nearby parks, hospitals, super-marts and signal free, Islamabad Expressway is considered a prime location for investment. For big families looking to buy property, 4 bed apartments are also offered in Islamabad. Beautiful terrace, Italian kitchen with modern fittings, servant quarter and study room are present in luxury flats in Silver Oaks, F-10.
Also, 4 and 5-bedroom luxury apartments are available in River Walk, Islamabad Expressway, with a riverside walking track, space available on the rooftop for family events, gym, healthcare facility, electricity back-up for individual residence, outdoor terraces and a car valet service for the residents. Bahria Enclave in Islamabad also offers a luxury lifestyle with no load-shedding in the area. Studio, 1,2 and 3-bed luxury apartments are offered with various amenities nearby, such as schools and hospitals, a spa, mosque, and 24/7 security and maintenance. Broadband fibre connection with a smart home solution are also provided there.
The price range in Islamabad varies according to the location and number of bedrooms. In the posh locality of DHA, the prices of flats start from PKR 21 lakh for a 1-bedroom apartment. In Riverwalk Islamabad, a new project, which is only 3 kms away from DHA and 5 kms away from Islamabad International Airport, 2-bedroom apartments are almost sold out. The building’s luxurious penthouses, worth almost PKR 2.42 crore, are in high demand, with only a couple of flats remaining. A furnished studio apartment is available for PKR 18 lakh in E-11. In the same area, you can get a 4-bed apartment for PKR 4.5 crore. The decision to buy an apartment in Islamabad also depends upon the ease of payment a developer offers a buyer. In Ideas Tower, B-17, there is only 25% down payment and 16 quarterly instalments in a period of four years. At the time of possession, the remaining 10% need to be paid and the flat is all yours. The complex has a range of PKR 30.91 lakh for 1 bedroom and PKR 94.2 lakh for 4 bedrooms. In Bahria Enclave, you can get a 1-bed unit for PKR 17 lakh and a 3-bed luxury flat for PKR 2.1 crore. For luxury flats for sale in Bahria Enclave, the down payment is PKR 18 lakh and PKR 538,462 on a quarterly basis in a total of 13 instalments. At the time of possession, the buyer needs to pay PKR 2 lakh.
Residing in Islamabad also means your child will receive education at some of the best schools in the country. The city has a number of reputable names in this regard, such as Fazaia Education System, Head Start School, Preparatory School System, Quaid’s Public School, Beaconhouse School Systems, Pak-Turk International Schools and International School of Islamabad. Islamabad also has many top-notch universities, some of which include Air University, Bahria University, National Defence University, COMSATS, Federal Urdu University of Arts, Science & Technology, Institute of Space Technology, Shifa College of Medicine and NUST School of Electrical Engineering and Computer Science. PIMS, on Ibn e Sina road, is one of the most famous and trusted hospitals in the entire country. Other renowned medical facilities in Islamabad are Kulsoom International Hospital, Shifa Hospital, Maroof International Hospital, Quaid e Azam International Hospital and Saudi German Hospital in Bahria Town.
Owing to the fact that it’s the capital city and many government, as well as foreign officials, live here, as the city has a high-level security system. For the same reason, the city has a robust infrastructure in place. There’s the Lahore-Islamabad Motorway, commonly known as M2, which connects the twin cities of Rawalpindi/Islamabad to Lahore. The other motorway which is called M1, covering 155 kms, connects Peshawar and Islamabad. Murree, a popular tourist destination, is only 40 minutes away from the city. The Margalla Hills National Park, Shakarparian, Saidpur Village, The Lok Virsa Museum and the Pakistan Monument are some other popular locations in the city. Faisal Mosque, South Asia’s largest mosque, which was constructed in 1986, is also in Islamabad. For those who love adventure and mountain hiking, Trail 3 is the oldest hiking track in Islamabad. Starting from F-6, Margalla Road, it goes up to the ViewPoint in 30 mins. Margalla Hills Park, Fatima Jinnah Park, Pir Sohawa, Rose & Jasmine Garden, Japanese Park and the zoo in Islamabad are popular hangouts for adults and children alike.
The Monal Restaurant and Savour Foods Restaurant are the top eat-outs of the city offering Desi kebabs, pulao and many more such delectable food items. One popular cafe named “The Float” is a major tourist attraction. It is present in the middle of the Rawal Lake providing tasty food and a cosy ambience. Sattar Bukhsh, Gelato Affairs, Street1 Cafe, Lebanese Cafe and Chaye Khana are popular tea/coffee houses in the area. One of the most prominent malls in Islamabad is The Centaurus Mall where you will find all designer brands under one roof. F-10 Markaz is also a popular shopping centre for people living in Islamabad. There is another shopping centre situated in I-11 where you can go grocery shopping.
When investing in real estate, a buyer needs to be sure of the safety of the place they are placing their faith, as well as hard-earned money, in. Islamabad offers that safety — along with multiple other amenities such as wide and clean roads, less traffic and noise pollution, a vibrant economy, job opportunities, and, of course, scenic beauty. Since it is one of the most well-planned cities in the country, almost all the houses and apartment complexes are carefully planned, designed and arranged as well.
