Why Does Pakistan’s Gen Z Find Homeownership Increasingly Impossible?

Fashion designer Parishae Adnan questions how young Pakistanis can afford homes as low salaries, rising costs and economic uncertainty deepen generational financial divides.

Webdesk-Amina Houth

Pakistani fashion designer Parishae Adnan has questioned how young people can afford homes and achieve financial stability amid rising living costs, low salaries and growing economic uncertainty, highlighting the widening financial gap between generations.

Speaking on the podcast FWhy?, hosted by former model Frieha Altaf, the couturier discussed the challenges facing millennials and Generation Z, arguing that buying property has become increasingly difficult for younger Pakistanis.

During the conversation, Altaf observed that millennials differed from older generations because many no longer believed in purchasing property. Responding to the observation, Parishae questioned whether young people could realistically afford homeownership under current economic conditions.

“Even if we did want it, how would we get it?” she asked.

The designer compared the financial circumstances of younger Pakistanis with those of her father, veteran fashion designer Amir Adnan. She said that when her father was around her age, he could afford a house down payment with a few months of salary and purchase a new car with approximately a year’s earnings.

In contrast, she questioned how young professionals earning between Rs60,000 and Rs80,000 a month could afford comparable assets while managing everyday expenses.

Parishae also highlighted the failure of some workplaces to comply with minimum wage standards, arguing that inadequate earnings further restricted young people’s financial independence. She acknowledged that renting had become a more realistic option for many, but stressed that this often reflected financial limitations rather than a genuine preference.

The discussion also addressed differences in work culture between generations. Altaf noted that younger people were sometimes criticised for not working hard enough, describing Parishae as exceptionally hardworking.

Parishae responded that Generation Z was increasingly recognising that constant work was not necessary, while many millennials remained trapped in a cycle of overwork and guilt whenever they took a break. She admitted experiencing this pressure herself and observed that her younger sister appeared more relaxed.

Earlier in the podcast, the designer identified the shortage of basic amenities as one of Pakistan’s biggest problems. She said persistent difficulties accessing food, housing, water, gas and electricity left people frustrated and impatient.

According to Parishae, these pressures affect people across economic classes, extending beyond poverty alone. She suggested that addressing fundamental needs could reduce everyday stress and improve people’s ability to deal with other challenges.

Her remarks have brought attention to a broader question facing younger Pakistanis: how can they build secure futures when rising living costs and limited purchasing power make traditional milestones, including homeownership, increasingly difficult to achieve?