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 addressed. The amendments, which allow commercial activities in residential buildings, have sparked reservations from ABAD. The government is now open to revising these rules to balance urban development with the needs of builders and developers.

The SBCA recently amended its regulations to permit commercial use in residential buildings, aiming to legalize businesses already operating in residential areas. However, ABAD has raised concerns that such changes could disrupt planned housing communities and strain existing infrastructure.

Minister Saeed Ghani, during a meeting with the Business Facilitation and Coordination Committee, acknowledged ABAD’s concerns. He emphasized that the amendments were introduced to regularize existing commercial activities in residential zones, not to create new issues. Ghani also indicated that the government is open to further revising the rules based on stakeholder feedback.

To facilitate the construction process, Ghani directed the SBCA to prepare sample designs for houses on plots ranging from 60 to 240 square yards. This initiative aims to streamline the approval process through a one-window system, reducing bureaucratic hurdles for builders and homeowners.

Ghani instructed various civic agencies, including the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) and the Lyari Development Authority (LDA), to submit reports on their digitization efforts. The goal is to enhance transparency and efficiency in the approval and monitoring processes.

ABAD members suggested that development charges collected should be utilized for infrastructure development within the respective areas. Ghani assured that this suggestion would be given serious consideration. He also requested reports on the development charges collected over the past five years and updates on plot handovers to landowners.

The meeting concluded with a commitment to collaborative efforts between the government and builders to ensure sustainable urban development. Key attendees included ABAD Chairman Hassan Bakshi and members of the Karachi Chamber of Commerce and Industry (KCCI).