In This Post:
Where to get a letter for confirming land title?
What does Fard Mean?
What is the price for applying for a letter confirming a land title?
How to obtain a NOC on the Environmental Impact Assessment?
Charges for NOC on the Environmental Impact Assessment
How to obtain a building permit in Pakistan?
What if you don’t receive a response in 45 days?
How to get your property evaluated for tax?
Documents for requesting water and sewerage connections
How to get approval for the first floor?
Who inspects and looks after the completion of foundations?
Final inspection and completion certificate
What happens after the final inspection?
Construction permits in Karachi
Construction permits in Lahore
UPDATE (Jan.16, 2021): In a report entitled ‘Economic Governance Reforms to Support Inclusive Growth’, the International Monetary Fund (IMF) lauded business-friendly measures introduced in different sectors of Pakistan, including real estate.
The report pointed out how Pakistan has reduced the time for obtaining construction permits through various reforms in laws pertaining to business.
The construction industry is among the predominant supporters of Pakistan’s economy. Owing to its demand and interest among our readers, we had previously discussed how to obtain construction permits in Lahore and Karachi. This blog is, however, focused on answering some FAQs about construction permits in Pakistan.
Let’s begin!
FAQs About Construction Permits in Pakistan
Here are some of the top questions about dealing with construction permits in Pakistan, along with their answers:
Where to get a letter for confirming land title?
Land Revenue Management Information System (LRMIS) is a system that issues a letter for confirming land title in Pakistan. Whether you are a builder or a property owner, you can obtain Fard – a letter confirming land title – from LRMIS. It takes about two days for the process to complete.
What does Fard Mean?
The word “Fard” basically means land records in Pakistan. It is also alternatively used for the letter that confirms land title in Pakistan. Fard endorses the use of land, plot dimensions, possibility of road widening, cut line, and reservation.
What is the price for applying for a letter confirming a land title?
The price for applying for a letter confirming land title is just PKR 150.
How to obtain a NOC on the Environmental Impact Assessment?
Obtaining a No Objection Certificate on the Environmental Impact Assessment has been declared mandatory in Punjab for every building authority in Lahore, as per the Punjab Environmental Protection Act, 1997, and the Environmental Impact Assessment Regulation of 2000. Meanwhile, the Sindh Building Control Authority has recently removed this obligation to get an approval on building plans in Sindh. Check out more details on this notification by navigating to the official notice issued by SBCA.
However, the building companies in Lahore are obliged to submit an Initial Environment Examination (IEE) to the Environmental Protection Agency. The process for NOC takes around 105 days to complete.
What are the charges for obtaining a NOC on the Environmental Impact Assessment?
The fee for obtaining a NOC on the Environmental Impact Assessment in Punjab is PKR 10,000.
How to obtain a building permit in Pakistan?
Construction laws in Pakistan differ from one region to another. If you want to obtain approval to begin the construction work on a piece of land, you must apply in writing to the Lahore Development Authority [as per the Building and Zoning By-Laws of 2007 in Punjab]. While you are applying for a building permit, you must show up at the office with the below-mentioned documents:
- Application form endorsed by an authorised civil engineer, attorney-in-practice, and a registered structural engineer.
- A total of five copies of the building plans, including site plan, architectural & structural drawings, and stability certificate. Each of these documents must be signed by the relevant professional such as an architect or a structural engineer.
- Evidence of ownership – it can be shown via Fard, copy of sale deed, or copy of allotment letter.
- Photocopy of the construction company’s memorandum of incorporation.
- Power of attorney – this will help the applicant to act on behalf of the company.
- Copy of CNIC of the attorney-in-practice.
If you apply for a building permit in Punjab with all the above-mentioned documents, you are sure to get a response within 45 days.
What if you don’t receive a response in 45 days?
In case you do not receive a response on your application for construction work permits within 45 days of submission, it is recommended to send another letter by post to the relevant authority. And, if the letter is not answered in two weeks, you must assume that the plan has been approved and can start the construction work.
Note: The above question is answered in alignment with Act 27.6, Section 192, Fourth Schedule, Chapter 14 of the Punjab Local Government Ordinance, 2001.
How to get your property evaluated for tax?
Obtaining property tax valuation and a certificate from the relevant tax authorities is mandatory for applying for construction permits in Pakistan. The documents must confirm that the construction company doesn’t owe them any money. Such certificates and documents can be obtained from the Excise and Taxation Departments of Sindh and Punjab.
The primary function of these departments is to inspect the building and issue certificates to the owner of the property. The certificate comprises a comprehensive assessment of the current worth of the building. In case the construction company intends to raise any objections, they should make it within two weeks. If failed to do so, the department issues “PT-1 Form” – it is a permit that possesses the assessed value and the resultant property tax.
If you wish to apply for PT-1, you should have the following documents:
- Letter with complete information about the building
- Title documents
- Approved building plan
- CNIC of the applicant
Note: Once you have submitted the application, the procedure will take about a full month, without any further charges, to complete. The Excise and Taxation Department will inspect the building again and issue another certificate to the building owner. The certificate provides an assessment of the value of the building. This takes about 1 day with no associated charges.
What are the necessary documents for requesting water and sewerage connections?
If you want to apply for water and sewerage connections, the credentials mentioned blow should be provided to Water and Sewerage Authority (WASA) with an application form:
- Attested copy of CNIC of the owner
- Attested copy of sale deed/proof of ownership
- Copy of the assessment of property unit
- Site plan – to specify the location of the property
Note: The application process takes 60 days to come through while the cost is PKR 90,000.
How to get approval for the first floor?
The approval for the first floor [and each floor] is mandatory and it can be obtained from the authorised architects and engineers. According to Article 8(ii) of the 2001 Law, the authorised person will be issued a certificate of durability depending on the building plan. The process takes about 1 day to complete, and it is completely free of cost.
Who inspects and looks after the completion of foundations?
Once the foundations is completed, the construction company is required to notify relevant authorities such as the SBCA and the LDA. They will conduct a thorough inspection of the foundation.
Note: The process may take about 1 day with no additional charges.
What should you know about the final inspection and completion certificate?
After the construction work is entirely completed, a “notice of completion and permission for occupation” form is to be submitted along with the authorised architect’s certificate of durability. Then, the relevant department such as the Lahore Development Authority and the Sindh Building Control Authority reviews the structure. The departments must verify that the building has been constructed as per the approved plans.
Note: This takes one day and costs around PKR 70,000 in Punjab.
What happens after the final inspection?
After the relevant authorities conduct the final inspection, they will provide a certificate of completion. The certificate confirms that the construction work has been carried out according to the approved building plan.
Note: This might take up to 60 days with no charges.
Who oversees construction permits in Karachi?
Sindh Building Control Authority oversees construction permits in Karachi.
Who oversees construction permits in Lahore?
Lahore Development Authority oversees construction permits in Lahore.
This wraps up our post on FAQs about construction permits in Pakistan. We have discussed everything on how to obtain construction permits in the country. If you have any further questions, you can write to us at blog@zameen.com. Before we sign-off, we recommend going through our recent post where we have shared the SBCA guidelines on how to buy property in Karachi. Meanwhile, if you are looking for the new construction bylaws for high-rise buildings in Islamabad, make sure to stop by our blog.
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Disclaimer: All the answers in this blog are compiled with the help of the Ease of Doing Business (EODB) and EODB Punjab, LDA, SBCA, and other law-making departments of Sindh and Punjab. This blog aims to give you a general overview of dealing with construction permits in Pakistan. Policies, rules, and regulations might differ from region to region.
Note: There are different types of work permits in the construction industry of Pakistan, it can be obtained via LDA, SBCA, or other law-making departments of Pakistan, mainly depending on the location of your property.
