Karachi: A coalition of public interest organisations has filed a petition in the Sindh High Court (SHC) challenging a controversial land-use amendment by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) that allows commercial activities—such as cafes and recreational spaces—within residential areas without public consultation.
The petition, jointly filed by the Public Interest Law Association of Pakistan (PILAP), Shehri-Citizens for a Better Environment (Shehri-CBE), and the Urban Resource Centre (URC), argues that the amendment to SBCA’s 2025 land-use regulations undermines residents’ rights and weakens transparency in urban planning.
The amendment redefines the term “residential use” to include cafes, restaurants, and recreational facilities, eliminating the legal requirement for prior public notice or objections from nearby residents.
According to the petitioners, this change poses a serious threat to the privacy, environmental quality, and safety of residential neighborhoods. They contend that the regulation could lead to increased noise, traffic, and pollution—issues already plaguing many Karachi localities.
“The removal of public input from the zoning process violates citizens’ constitutional rights to a clean, safe, and peaceful living environment,” PILAP stated in a press release. The petition demands that the SBCA reverse the amendment and reinstate safeguards that ensure fair and participatory decision-making in land-use changes.
This legal action follows mounting public criticism of Karachi’s urban policies, with civil society groups warning that unchecked commercialisation is eroding the city’s livability. Earlier this month, Jamaat-e-Islami and the Pasban Democratic Party also filed similar petitions against SBCA’s modifications to the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations 2002.
The SHC is expected to hear the petition in the coming weeks.
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