Gold remains a popular way for Pakistanis to preserve their savings. There are 3 legal ways to buy or invest in gold in Pakistan.
If you want to avoid the costs and risks of holding physical gold, choose from these 3 options:
- Digital gold
- Regulated gold mutual funds
- Gold futures.
Why Physical Gold May Not Be a Good Investment
You can buy physical gold by visiting a jeweler or bullion dealer. Investors can purchase gold bars, coins or jewelry and take direct ownership of the metal.
Physical gold is not always a good investment because it comes with security, storage, purity and resale concerns. Investors have to keep the gold safe themselves, which can create additional costs and risks.
Jewelers also charge making costs and other premiums when gold is bought or sold. These charges can significantly reduce the actual return an investor receives, particularly when buying jewelry.
Making charges can sometimes reach as high as 35 percent of the gold’s value, so the investor may pay substantially more than the value of the gold when making the purchase.
Selling physical gold can also result in deductions from its value. For example, if an investor buys 10 grams of 22K gold when the gold price is Rs. 300,000 and later sells it when the comparable gold value reaches Rs. 390,000, the apparent Rs. 90,000 gain can be significantly reduced by the costs and deductions applied at purchase and resale.
Investors looking to avoid these costs can instead consider digital gold, regulated gold mutual funds or gold futures at Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX).
1. Buy Gold Digitally Through Asasa
You can buy 24K gold digitally through Asasa starting from Rs. 1,000. The platform allows investors to accumulate gold without taking possession.
Every customer’s digital gold holding is backed by an equivalent amount of physical gold kept in custody. This structure is designed to give investors exposure to physical gold while allowing them to buy and hold it digitally.
Asasa is operated by Zarvest Technologies (Private) Limited, which the company says is registered with the SECP.
You can also find PMEX-linked digital gold products such as milliSona. In this model, purchases are made through a PMEX account rather than simply relying on an independent digital-gold platform.
2. Invest in Gold Mutual Funds
You can invest in gold through SECP-regulated mutual funds without buying or storing physical gold yourself. These funds provide investors with exposure to gold through investment structures managed by asset management companies.
The Meezan Gold Fund invests at least 70 percent of its net assets in deliverable gold-based contracts available on PMEX. Its minimum initial investment is Rs. 5,000, while subsequent investments can start from Rs. 1,000.
The NBP Islamic Gold Fund is another SECP-regulated option for investors seeking gold exposure. Launched in 2026, it is an open-end commodity fund that invests significantly in deliverable gold contracts on PMEX, with a minimum investment of Rs. 10,000.
Gold mutual funds can be more convenient than physical gold because investors do not have to arrange their own storage or security. However, investors should still review the fund’s fees, structure, risks and investment strategy before putting money into it.
3. Trade Gold Futures Through PMEX
You can trade gold futures through PMEX, Pakistan’s SECP-licensed and regulated commodity futures exchange. Investors must use PMEX-registered brokers to access the market.
PMEX offers different gold contracts, including smaller-sized contracts for investors with relatively lower capital. This allows investors to take positions in gold without purchasing physical bars or jewelry.
Gold futures are riskier than simply holding gold because investors trade using margins and can face larger gains or losses. The option is therefore generally more suitable for investors who understand futures trading and can manage the associated risks.
What About OctaFX and Other Gold-Trading Apps?
You should not assume that every app offering gold or XAU/USD trading is legally equivalent to Pakistan’s regulated gold market. Many international platforms offer leveraged trading in gold without giving investors ownership of physical gold.
PMEX has warned investors against offshore platforms including OctaFX, Exness, XM and EasyForex. It has advised investors to trade through PMEX-licensed brokers and stated that PMEX is Pakistan’s only SECP-licensed and regulated commodity futures exchange.
Which Gold Investment Option Is Best?
Digital gold may suit investors who want to start with a small amount and hold gold through an app. Platforms like Asasa allow purchases starting from Rs. 1,000, subject to its terms and structure.
Gold mutual funds may suit investors who want professionally managed exposure to gold without storing the metal themselves. They also operate within Pakistan’s regulated mutual fund framework.
PMEX gold futures may suit experienced investors who want to actively trade gold. However, futures carry substantially higher risk because of margin requirements and market movements.
The most important step before investing is to check exactly what you are buying and who regulates it. Investors should also understand the fees, custody arrangements, redemption or selling process and potential risks before putting money into any gold investment.
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