Marking a major milestone for sustainable tourism in Pakistan, Above Zero (Private) Limited announced today that it has signed an Expression of Interest (EOI) with UAE-headquartered real estate giant Fatima International Group. The strategic partnership aims to explore high-impact investment opportunities in Above Zero, Pakistan’s first purpose-planned, conservation-first mountain town, located at 9,000 feet in Thandiani, Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KPK).
The high-profile agreement was finalized during the Govt. of Pakistan and UNDP’s National SDGs Investment Fair at the Marriott Hotel, Karachi. The event was held in the presence of senior officials from the KPK Board of Investment and Trade (KP-BOIT) and the Galiyat Development Authority (GDA), following Above Zero’s feature presentation during the Fair’s Tourism & Heritage showcase.
Fatima International Group brings a formidable track record to the table, having successfully delivered over 15 million square feet of iconic developments, including The Sustainable City, Dubai. The group is currently expanding its portfolio of sustainable, future-ready communities across the UAE, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
“The world’s great mountain destinations were planned before they were built. Thandiani represents a transformative moment for regional tourism, and Pakistan has the talent and vision to deliver a world-class destination. We are proud to begin this conversation with Above Zero.” – Ashir Ahmed, Chief Strategy Officer, Fatima International Group
“Pakistan boasts mountains that captivate global imaginations, but development in these pristine regions has historically been unplanned and ecologically taxing. Thandiani is our answer to changing that narrative, planning rigorously before building, safeguarding natural ridges and forests, and driving long-term economic prosperity for local communities. Fatima International Group’s strategic interest validates this pioneering approach.” – Abdullah Khan, Chief Executive Officer, Above Zero
A New Paradigm for Sustainable Tourism Infrastructure
Institutional Governance & Conservation: Above Zero holds the 400-kanal site under a public–private partnership (PPP) agreement extending up to 100 years with the GDA and the Government of KPK, inked in May 2026. Strict conservation mandates are embedded directly into the concession agreement, verified independently by third-party engineers and environmental auditors.
World-best Master Planning: The majority of the site is permanently designated as open, green landscape. Canada’s world-renowned Ecosign Mountain Resort Planners is leading the master plan, emphasizing low-density, green architecture rooted in regional heritage.
A Year-Round Destination Economy: Unlike traditional, highly seasonal hill stations that shut down during winter months, Above Zero is engineered for full 365-day operation. This design yields permanent employment in hospitality, retail, guiding, logistics, and supply-chain management across the Hazara region while retaining premium holiday expenditure domestically.
UN Sustainable Development Goals Alignment: The project actively advances SDG 8 (Decent Work & Economic Growth), SDG 11 (Sustainable Cities & Communities), SDG 13 (Climate Action), and SDG 15 (Life on Land).
Next Steps & Execution Timeline
Master planning for the destination is actively under way, with a comprehensive Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) to precede formal regulatory filings and ground-breaking. Following due diligence, definitive commercial agreements between Above Zero and Fatima International Group will be announced.
About Above Zero (Private) Limited
Above Zero is developing Pakistan’s premier purpose-planned, four-season mountain town in Thandiani, Galiyat, under a 100-year public–private partnership with the Government of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. Backed by a consortium including Tahir Builders (Pvt.) Ltd. and the creators of Qubed Hospitality, Above Zero stands on four core pillars: conservation-first sustainability, year-round livelihoods, cultural authenticity, and enduring design.
About Fatima International Group
Fatima International Group is a premier UAE-headquartered real estate development, construction, project management, and property management group. Founded by Group Chairman Nasir Mehmood, who launched his career in Pakistan, the group’s landmark portfolio includes HDS Tower, HDS Business Center in Jumeirah Lakes Towers, IT Plaza in Dubai Silicon Oasis, and The Galleries at Meydan Avenue. Today, the group actively develops sustainable communities across the UAE, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka.
Media & Investor Inquiries: Email: [email protected] | Phone: +92 309 340 0000 | Website: abovezero.pk
