Where to Invest in Pakistan: Crypto vs Real Estate?
Introduction – The Modern Investor’s Dilemma
In today’s fast-paced, hype-driven economy, many Pakistani investors find themselves caught in a mental tug-of-war:
Should I put my money into cryptocurrency or real estate(Crypto vs Real estate)?
The crypto world promises mind-blowing returns. One day you’re a student with a few thousand rupees, and the next? You’re a millionaire — or so the internet says. But the other side of the coin isn’t shown as often: wiped-out savings, lost passwords, crashed exchanges.
Real estate, meanwhile, may not sound flashy — but it’s deeply rooted in necessity. You live on land. You rent property. You pass it on to the next generation. It’s not just an investment — it’s a lifeline.
At Imlaak, we’ve spent over a decade navigating both investor psychology and asset classes. And today, we’re here to break down the crypto vs real estate debate in a human, data-driven, Pakistani context — so you can make an informed, sane investment decision.
Understanding Crypto Investments in Pakistan
The Allure: High Risk, High Reward
Let’s be honest: the number one reason people jump into crypto is the promise of fast money. Who hasn’t seen the Bitcoin story?
- In 2011, 1 BTC = $1
- In 2021, 1 BTC = $60,000+
- In 2022, back to under $20,000
- Today? Fluctuating between $55k–$70k
The extreme rise (and fall) of crypto coins creates an illusion: If I just time it right, I’ll win.
But here’s the painful reality: over 90% of cryptocurrencies launched since 2017 have either failed or are inactive. (Source: CoinMarketCap)
And in Pakistan, where no regulatory authority oversees digital coins, this volatility becomes a full-blown gamble.
Volatility & Sentiment-Driven Markets
As Captain Shahnawaz Yaqub Bhatti , CEO of Imlaak puts it:
“Crypto isn’t backed by need. It’s backed by belief. You believe it has value, so it has value — until the belief collapses.”
One tweet from Elon Musk can send Dogecoin flying — or crashing. That’s not investment. That’s emotional roulette.
Compare this with real estate: property value may fluctuate, but it doesn’t crash overnight. It’s tied to utility, infrastructure, development, and population — not Twitter.
Regulation & Legal Concerns
In Pakistan, cryptocurrency is not legal tender. The State Bank of Pakistan has warned against its use, and the FBR has no official framework for taxing or protecting it.
No legal exchanges. No insurance. No official recovery path.
And if you’re caught using crypto for cross-border transactions? You risk falling under anti-money laundering (AML) suspicion.
Even if crypto becomes mainstream eventually, the current risks are undeniable — especially for investors seeking stable, passive income or long-term growth.
Understanding Real Estate in Pakistan
Tangible, Essential, and Time-Tested
Unlike crypto, real estate is a necessity, not an accessory. You can live in it. Rent it out. Pass it on.
“If you don’t have Bitcoin, you’ll still eat. But if you don’t have a roof over your head? You’re vulnerable.”
From Karachi to Murree, Lahore to Ayubia, property is something people need — not just something they speculate on.
This need ensures that even when markets dip, property values tend to recover — and over time, they almost always grow.
Rental Income & Passive Growth
Investing in serviced apartments or high-rise developments isn’t just about future appreciation. It’s about monthly returns — today.
Rental yields in top Imlaak-managed projects range between 6% to 10% annually, depending on location and occupancy.
Projects like Falettis Grand Hotel Ayubia or Sixty6 Gulberg Lahore are designed to capitalize on local tourism and urban demand, turning your real estate into a passive income machine.
And the best part? Unlike crypto staking, rental income is legally protected and audited.
Government Support & Legal Safety
Recent reforms have made real estate even more investor-friendly:
- ✅ Section 7E abolished for constructed properties
- ✅ Stamp duty down to 1% in Punjab
- ✅ Withholding tax adjustable against rental income
- ✅ Real estate gains are taxed under clear laws
You’re not hiding. You’re investing openly, safely, and with legal backing.
Case Study – Imlaak’s High-Rise Projects That Are Winning in 2025
Let’s take a real-world look at where smart investors are already parking their money — and reaping benefits.
🏙️ Sixty6 Gulberg, Lahore
- Location: Main Gulberg, Lahore
- Asset Type: Luxury high-rise residences
- Capital Gains: 20–30% over 3 years (estimated)
Why It Wins: This is where urban demand meets high-net-worth tenants. Serviced apartments in Gulberg rarely stay vacant. With limited high-rise inventory in Lahore’s commercial heart, Sixty6 is poised for long-term growth.
🏔️ Falettis Grand Hotel, Ayubia
- Location: Near Ayubia Chairlift, Murree Hills
- Asset Type: Hotel-branded serviced apartments
- Occupancy Rate: Over 80% during season
- Yield: Estimated 8–12% annual returns
Why Falettis Grand Hotel Ayubia Wins: Tourism is booming, and Ayubia is a top-tier destination. Falettis’ brand credibility combined with premium location ensures consistent rental income and rapid capital appreciation.
Why It Wins: A smart way to enter the real estate market affordably while owning a slice of paradise. Ideal for investors looking to diversify with a secure foothold in the tourism-driven rental economy.
Crypto vs Real Estate: A Smart Comparison
| Feature | Cryptocurrency | Real Estate |
| Tangibility | 100% digital | Physical, usable asset |
| Legal Status in PK | Unregulated, grey area | Fully legal, registered |
| Passive Income | Limited (via staking, high risk) | Monthly rental, stable returns |
| Capital Appreciation | Unpredictable, volatile | Consistent, location-driven |
| Taxation | Unclear, may trigger audits | Transparent, with deductions |
| Liquidity | High, but risky | Moderate, can resell or refinance |
| Risk Factor | Extremely high | Low to medium |
| Sentiment Dependency | Fully sentiment-based | Utility + demand driven |
| Ownership Security | Wallet-based, prone to hacks/loss | Registered title deed |
Risk Management & Exit Strategy
What happens when you need your money back?
In real estate:
- You can sell your apartment
- You can refinance against your property
- You can keep earning rent until the right buyer appears
In crypto:
- You sell at a loss
- Your wallet gets hacked
- The coin disappears
- The exchange gets banned
And as Captain Shahnawaz Yaqub Bhatti rightfully said:
“Have you ever heard someone die of a heart attack due to a property loss? But people have lost everything — even their lives — to crypto crashes.”
Crypto vs Real Estate in 2025: What Should a Smart Investor Do?
Choose Necessity Over Noise
The crypto world may be tempting, but real estate is tangible, secure, and essential. It doesn’t disappear when the internet goes down. It feeds your family. It builds your future.
Consider Hybrid Strategies — But Prioritize Real Estate
Once you’ve locked in:
- A passive income stream
- Tax-adjusted gains
- A legally owned asset
Then, and only then, explore risky classes like crypto — with play money, not life savings.
But today, your safest bet in Pakistan is:
- Sixty6 Gulberg for long-term rental growth
- Falettis Ayubia for tourism-based income
Conclusion – Real Estate is the Real Deal
Let’s face it: we live in a noisy economy. But at the end of the day, the roof over your head and the rent coming into your bank account are what build real wealth.
Crypto may rise — and fall — but property endures. Especially when it’s part of well-managed, income-generating projects by experts like Imlaak.
Shahnawaz Yaqub Bhatti
Investment Consultant and CEO at Imlaak
- Mobile: +92 333 1717170 (WhatsApp)
- Mobile: +92 333 1616160 (WhatsApp)
