In a historic development for Pakistan’s real estate sector, DigiEstate Private Limited, led by its CEO Mr. Naeem Khanani, is launching the country’s first-ever blockchain-based Real Estate Security Tokens (REST). This initiative marks a major leap toward digitizing and democratizing property investment through the integration of distributed ledger technology (DLT), offering fractional ownership of high-value real estate assets in a secure, transparent, and regulated environment.
REST is currently undergoing sandbox testing under the supervision of key regulatory stakeholders including the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP), the Central Depository Company (CDC), the National Clearing Company of Pakistan Limited (NCCPL), and Arif Habib Dolmen REIT Management Limited (AHDRML). The testing phase reflects Pakistan’s cautious but progressive embrace of digital transformation in finance and real estate, ensuring that innovation occurs within a tightly governed framework.
The vision behind REST is to redefine access to real estate investments, traditionally reserved for high-net-worth individuals, by allowing broader participation through fractional digital ownership. Blockchain technology ensures a tamper-proof and fully auditable investment process, enhancing transparency and reducing operational inefficiencies in an otherwise opaque and fragmented property market. With REST, investors can potentially buy and trade tokenized real estate assets in a manner similar to traditional securities, greatly increasing liquidity in the sector.
Mr. Khanani, whose work in the sector spans over three decades, is also actively shaping the future of Real Estate Investment Trusts (REITs) in Pakistan. As Program Director at both the REIT Academy and the Institute of Real Assets Development & Management (IRADM), he is focusing on investor education, financial literacy, and professional training to help the industry transition into a structured, tech-enabled environment. His leadership roles across multiple REITs listed on the Pakistan Stock Exchange (Dolmen City REIT and Globe Residency REIT) and as Chairman of their audit committees underscore his deep-rooted expertise in corporate governance and financial oversight.
In addition to his work within Pakistan, Mr. Khanani is the country’s sole representative at the Asia Pacific Real Estate Association (APREA), where he actively contributes to regional dialogues on investment standards, real estate regulation, and emerging technologies. His international engagement positions Pakistan to benefit from global best practices in fintech-driven real estate innovation.
The REST project reflects a significant step toward building Pakistan’s first regulated ecosystem for blockchain-based property investment. If successfully implemented, it could establish the country as a regional leader in asset tokenization and attract a new wave of both domestic and foreign investment into its real estate sector. The implications of this initiative go far beyond digitization—it represents the dawn of a new real estate paradigm where investment is more inclusive, liquid, and secure.
As REST progresses through the sandbox with SECP and other institutional partners, the momentum behind blockchain integration in Pakistan’s financial and property markets continues to grow. The project has the potential to set a new standard for asset-backed securities in emerging markets, marking a pivotal moment in the evolution of real estate investment across South Asia.