Karachi: Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has assured the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) that their concerns regarding recent amendments to the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) rules will be taken into account. The amendments, which allow commercial activities in residential buildings, have sparked strong reservations from ABAD.
Chairing the second meeting of the Business Facilitation and Coordination Committee on Wednesday, Ghani addressed the issues raised by ABAD, stating that the amendments were introduced to provide legal cover to commercial establishments that have been operating in residential areas of Karachi for years. However, he hinted at the possibility of further revisions to the rules, taking ABAD’s feedback into consideration.
Ghani emphasized that Sindh Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah had formed the Business Facilitation and Coordination Committee to extend maximum relief to the business community and the general public. He also directed the SBCA Director General to prepare a sample design for individual housing units to be built on residential plots of 60 to 240 square yards, which would facilitate the approval of building plans under a one-window system.
In addition, Ghani instructed various civic agencies, including the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), to submit reports on the progress of their digitization efforts within a week. He also requested a report on the development charges collected by these agencies over the last five years and an update on the plots handed over to landowners for construction.
During the meeting, Ghani acknowledged the suggestions made by the business community, including ABAD members, that development charges paid by them should be utilized for the development of land within the jurisdiction of the respective civic agencies. These suggestions will be given serious consideration, he assured.
The meeting, which was also attended by key officials including ABAD Chairman Hassan Bakshi and members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI), concluded with a prayer for the late Senator Taj Haider, a senior member of the Pakistan Peoples Party.
Ghani’s commitment to revising the SBCA rules and addressing the concerns of the business community signals the Sindh government’s intent to strike a balance between urban development and the needs of builders and developers.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
