ISLAMABAD - The recent adjustment of real estate valuation rates in selected areas of some major urban centres of the country is aimed at providing level playing field to all and is likely to boost revenue collection and promote healthy growth of the real estate sector in the long run.

The adjustment of property valuation rates has been carried in only a small number of localities out in six large cities, the FBR said in a press statement on Tuesday. Among these areas and localities where the valuation rates have been adjusted include only one locality (Hayatabad) out of 335 residential localities in Peshawar, one locality (Eden Orchids) in 395 localities of Faisalabad, six localities namely Gujarpura, Anmol Cooperative Housing Society, Attari Saroba, Balhar, Dev Khurd Kalan and EME Society in the entire 1234 localities of Lahore and three sectors of I-15, I-16 and E-12 in the 64 localities of the federal capital.

Similarly, rates of only three out of 195 localities in Karachi and only two localities in Rawalpindi have been adjusted because of certain anomalies in the previous valuation rates. The FBR rates have been revised after several suggestions made by the various real estate agents associations in view of the negative impact of the previous FBR notified rates which in certain cases were in excess of true market rates or in few cases reached up to 70 to 80 percent of the market rates. These anomalies led to stagnation in real estate activity and, in some cases, crippling of real estate business in the market.

This rationalisation and revision of rates in certain localities, to remove anomalies, is aimed at not only boosting the market but also to have a positive impact on the growth of revenue from the real estate business in aforementioned areas wherein it had reduced to a standstill due to a lack of interest and a sharp decline in real estate investments.