Key Points:
-
Amendments to Regulations: The PPP government in Sindh amended the Karachi Town Planning and Building Regulations, allowing the commercial use of residential properties. The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) introduced a new land-use category, ‘Commercial/Residential-cum Commercial Use,’ to permit this change.
-
Opposition’s Reactions:
-
PTI’s Concern: PTI’s Haleem Adil Sheikh warned that these amendments would turn Karachi into a dense, unlivable concrete mass, worsening environmental challenges, traffic congestion, and reducing green spaces.
-
MQM-P’s Resistance: MQM-P accused the PPP of benefiting the ‘builder mafia’ and called the amendments part of a conspiracy to destroy urban life in Karachi. They also submitted a resolution in the Sindh Assembly against the changes.
-
JI’s Opposition: Jamaat-i-Islami (JI) also opposed the amendments, accusing the PPP of favoring influential elites and disregarding elected local governments. They also demanded the removal of the SBCA chief and threatened legal action.
-
-
Legal and Environmental Concerns:
-
Unchecked Construction: PTI, MQM-P, and JI leaders criticized the lack of feasibility assessments for the new commercial projects, which could burden local infrastructure.
-
Impact on Green Spaces: Concerns were raised about the reduction of green spaces, especially with the increasing vulnerability of Karachi to climate change and heat events.
-
 The amendments to the Karachi Town Planning and Building Regulations, allowing residential properties to be used commercially, have sparked strong opposition from multiple political parties. They argue that these changes threaten Karachi’s urban environment, infrastructure, and residents’ quality of life, potentially serving the interests of the powerful builder mafia at the expense of the public. Calls for the withdrawal of these amendments and legal action against the PPP government’s decisions are gaining momentum.
