Gold remains a popular store of value in Pakistan, but investors do not necessarily need to buy jewelry, coins or gold bars to gain exposure to the precious metal.
For those looking to avoid the storage, security, purity and resale costs associated with physical gold, there are three regulated or formally available ways to invest in gold in Pakistan: digital gold, regulated gold mutual funds and gold futures traded through the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX).
Each option has a different cost structure, risk level and investment approach, so investors should understand how each works before committing their money.
Why physical gold may not always be the best investment
Physical gold can be purchased from jewelers and bullion dealers in the form of bars, coins or jewelry. While direct ownership gives investors possession of the metal, it can also involve several additional costs and risks.
Investors have to arrange secure storage and may face insurance or security expenses. Gold jewelry can also carry making charges and other premiums, meaning the purchase price can be significantly higher than the underlying value of the gold.
Making charges can, depending on the product and seller, reach substantial levels and reduce an investor’s effective return.
Selling physical gold can also involve deductions. For example, if an investor purchases 10 grams of 22-karat gold when its comparable gold value is Rs. 300,000 and later sells it when the value reaches Rs. 390,000, the apparent Rs. 90,000 gain may be reduced by purchase premiums, making charges and resale deductions.
For investors who want gold exposure without physically holding the metal, digital gold, gold mutual funds and gold futures provide alternative options.
1. Buy digital gold through Asasa
Digital gold allows investors to gain exposure to gold without taking physical possession of bars or coins.
Asasa allows customers to buy 24-karat digital gold starting from Rs. 1,000, according to the platform. Investors can accumulate gold digitally rather than keeping the metal at home.
The company says each customer’s digital gold holdings are backed by an equivalent quantity of physical gold held in custody.
Asasa is operated by Zarvest Technologies (Private) Limited, which states that it is registered with the Securities and Exchange Commission of Pakistan (SECP).
Another option available in Pakistan is milliSona, a PMEX-linked digital gold product. In this model, investors purchase gold through a PMEX account rather than relying solely on an independent digital-gold platform.
Digital gold may be particularly suitable for investors who want to start with a relatively small amount and gradually build a gold position.
However, investors should check the platform’s fees, custody arrangements, redemption terms and regulatory status before investing.
2. Invest in regulated gold mutual funds
Investors can also gain exposure to gold through SECP-regulated mutual funds without purchasing or storing physical gold themselves.
Gold mutual funds are managed by asset management companies and provide exposure to gold through specific investment structures.
Meezan Gold Fund
The Meezan Gold Fund invests at least 70% 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.
NBP Islamic Gold Fund
The NBP Islamic Gold Fund is another regulated option for investors seeking exposure to gold.
Launched in 2026, it is an open-end commodity fund that invests significantly in deliverable gold contracts traded on PMEX. Its minimum investment is Rs. 10,000.
Gold mutual funds can offer greater convenience than physical gold because investors do not need to arrange their own storage or security.
However, investors should examine the fund’s management fees, investment strategy, risk profile, underlying assets and redemption mechanism before investing.
3. Trade gold futures through PMEX
Experienced investors can also trade gold futures through the Pakistan Mercantile Exchange (PMEX).
PMEX is Pakistan’s SECP-licensed and regulated commodity futures exchange. Investors access the market through PMEX-registered brokers.
The exchange offers different gold contracts, including smaller contracts that can allow investors to take positions with comparatively lower capital than would be required to purchase large quantities of physical gold.
However, gold futures are considerably different from simply holding gold.
Futures trading involves margin requirements and leverage, meaning market movements can produce significantly larger gains or losses relative to the capital deposited.
As a result, PMEX gold futures are generally more appropriate for investors who understand futures markets, margin requirements and risk management.
What about OctaFX and other gold-trading apps?
Not every platform offering gold or XAU/USD trading provides the same type of investment as owning gold or trading through Pakistan’s regulated commodity market.
Many international trading platforms offer leveraged contracts based on gold prices without giving customers ownership of physical gold.
PMEX has previously warned investors against trading through offshore platforms, including OctaFX, Exness, XM and EasyForex, and advised investors to use PMEX-licensed brokers.
Investors should therefore verify the regulatory status of any platform before depositing funds, particularly when an app advertises highly leveraged gold trading.
Which gold investment option is best in Pakistan?
There is no single best way to invest in gold for every investor. The appropriate option depends on investment size, experience, liquidity requirements and risk tolerance.
| Gold investment option | May suit | Key consideration |
|---|---|---|
| Digital gold | Small investors and long-term accumulators | Check custody, fees and redemption terms |
| Gold mutual funds | Investors seeking professionally managed exposure | Review fund fees, strategy and risks |
| PMEX gold futures | Experienced active traders | Higher risk due to margin and market movements |
| Physical gold | Investors wanting direct ownership | Storage, security, making charges and resale deductions |
For someone looking to buy gold digitally in Pakistan with a small amount, digital gold may offer convenience. Investors seeking professionally managed exposure may consider regulated gold mutual funds, while experienced traders may prefer PMEX gold futures.
Before investing, however, it is important to establish exactly what you are buying, who regulates the product, how the underlying gold exposure is maintained, what fees apply and how you can sell or redeem your investment.
Gold prices can also rise or fall, and none of these options guarantees a profit. Investors should assess their financial goals and risk tolerance and review the relevant offering documents and regulatory information before making an investment decision.
