Sindh Real Estate News and Land Insights

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Judicial Commission’s report on the Gul Plaza tragedy has raised serious questions over compliance with building laws, fire safety regulations and emergency evacuation arrangements in Karachi. Rather than treating the incident merely as a fire, the report describes it as a failure of the existing provincial and municipal governance system, while identifying the absence of basic safety requirements in the building as a major factor behind the loss of lives.
According to the available draft of the report, Gul Plaza lacked adequate arrangements to deal with emergencies. The absence of proper entry and exit routes and an effective emergency evacuation system, sealed windows, inadequate smoke ventilation, insufficient lighting and the lack of essential fire safety equipment severely hampered rescue efforts. The commission observed that the availability of safe evacuation routes and an effective emergency exit system could have helped reduce the loss of life.
The report has also examined the role of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). According to the commission, the SBCA was primarily responsible for ensuring compliance with construction and safety requirements under the Karachi Building and Town Planning Regulations 2002. However, it failed to maintain the building’s history and related records in accordance with the audit framework and did not ensure effective monitoring.
The commission also expressed concern over the lack of an effective mechanism for timely identification and rectification of violations of building safety standards. According to the report, building regulations should not be limited to granting permission for construction; safety requirements, including fire protection, emergency exits, electricity, lighting, water supply and access for rescue services, must also be continuously monitored throughout the operational life of a building.
The report has also raised questions over the performance of the Civil Defence Department. According to the commission, the department was responsible for conducting advance inspections of buildings, identifying safety deficiencies, ensuring implementation of fire safety audits and providing relevant training on safety measures. However, these responsibilities were not effectively fulfilled.
The commission further observed that the district administration failed to effectively utilise the fire audit mechanism. It also noted shortcomings in the supervision and performance of the Deputy Commissioner in relation to the enforcement of safety measures.
Deficiencies in the emergency response system further aggravated the situation during the tragedy. According to the report, the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), through its Fire Brigade, had the primary responsibility to reach the site promptly and conduct an effective rescue operation. The Fire Brigade told the commission that adequate water supplies were available. However, evidence presented during the proceedings indicated that the water supply ran out while firefighting operations were underway, creating further difficulties and contributing to the escalation of casualties.
The commission also identified the shortage of essential firefighting and rescue equipment as a significant concern. Calls for help continued to come from people trapped inside the burning building, but the lack of adequate rescue equipment severely affected the effectiveness of the operation.
The report also questioned the performance of Rescue 1122, stating that the service was unable to discharge its responsibilities effectively due to inadequate equipment. The commission highlighted the issue in view of the substantial public funds allocated annually to the emergency rescue system.
According to the report, the Gul Plaza Managing Committee, which was present at the site in its administrative capacity, also failed to play an effective role in rescuing people trapped inside the building. However, the available draft of the commission’s report does not hold any specific individual directly responsible for the tragedy.
Overall, the commission concluded that the Gul Plaza tragedy exposed serious weaknesses in the enforcement and monitoring of building safety and fire protection regulations, as well as in the emergency response mechanism. The report characterised the incident as a failure of the existing provincial and municipal governance system, particularly in protecting the lives and property of citizens.
It is important to note that the available draft of the Judicial Commission’s report does not bear the signatures or official seal of any government officer or the commission. Therefore, its status and authenticity require separate official confirmation.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
Karachi Mayor Murtaza Wahab has inaugurated the rehabilitated Memon Goth Road, a major road infrastructure project completed at a cost of Rs 233.5 million, aimed at improving connectivity and easing traffic movement between Karachi and Malir.
Speaking at the inauguration ceremony, the mayor said the rehabilitation of the road had significantly improved transportation facilities for residents and commuters using the route. He noted that improved road infrastructure had helped reduce travel time between the city and Malir to approximately 15 to 20 minutes, providing greater convenience to motorists and local communities.
Wahab said the road project was carried out after completing essential supporting infrastructure works. According to him, traffic-related arrangements, sewerage works and base preparation were completed before the road construction and rehabilitation work began.
The mayor emphasized that completing underground and foundational infrastructure before laying the roads was important for ensuring the durability of newly developed road networks and reducing the need for repeated excavation after completion.
He further said that the Karachi administration was continuing work on several other road projects across the city. Construction and rehabilitation work on a number of roads along Makran Road has already commenced, while the tendering process for additional road projects is currently in progress.
Wahab said these initiatives were part of broader efforts to improve Karachi's road network, strengthen connectivity between different areas and facilitate smoother traffic flow.
He also highlighted progress on the proposed dual carriageway connecting Karachi Airport with Malir Cantt. The project is expected to provide an important transportation link between the airport, Malir and surrounding areas.
According to the mayor, the planned connectivity will also extend toward Kathore and the rear side of the airport, ultimately linking these areas with the motorway. The development is expected to improve access to key transport corridors and support the movement of residents, businesses and commercial traffic.
The ongoing road development projects reflect the city's focus on upgrading major transportation routes alongside essential municipal infrastructure. The administration has maintained that completing sewerage and other underground works before road construction can help prevent damage to newly built roads and ensure more sustainable urban development.
With the Memon Goth Road rehabilitation now completed and additional projects moving into construction and tendering stages, authorities are seeking to expand and modernize Karachi's road infrastructure while improving travel times and connectivity across the metropolitan area.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh Master Plan Authority has withdrawn the notification that had imposed an immediate ban on the conversion of residential land for commercial and recreational use in Karachi, marking a significant development in the city’s long running and contentious land-use dispute.
The withdrawal has been made in compliance with the Federal Constitutional Court’s order issued on May 12, 2026, effectively removing the restrictions imposed through a Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) notification issued in January 2019.
Officials, however, clarified that the withdrawal of the notification does not mean that residential properties can automatically be converted into commercial properties. Any change in land use will continue to remain subject to the applicable laws, approved master plans, zoning regulations and permission from the relevant competent authorities.
The latest notification formally implements the Federal Constitutional Court’s ruling and directs all concerned departments and stakeholders to ensure strict compliance with the court’s order in letter and spirit.
The issue of residential to commercial conversion has remained a major source of controversy in Karachi for several years. Property owners, developers and businesses have repeatedly sought clarity over the legal status of land use conversions, particularly in areas where residential properties have gradually become centers of commercial activity.
The restrictions became particularly significant following Supreme Court orders issued in December 2018 and January 2019. Subsequently, the SBCA issued a notification freezing land-use changes, creating uncertainty for property owners and developers seeking approval for commercial utilization of residential plots.
Amenity Plots Remain Protected Under Court’s Directions
The Federal Constitutional Court had earlier lifted the general ban on the conversion of residential plots into commercial and recreational use, providing relief to property owners, builders and developers affected by the previous restrictions.
At the same time, the court made it clear that amenity plots cannot be converted for commercial or residential purposes. These include parks, hospitals, schools, mosques, playgrounds and graveyards, which are required to retain their designated public and community-oriented purposes.
During the proceedings, Justice Aamer Farooq observed that the court would not interfere with the routine functioning of institutions such as the Sindh Building Control Authority. The court also noted that affected parties retained the right to challenge or appeal decisions arising from High Court proceedings in accordance with the law.
The court further observed that its suo motu jurisdiction was no longer available and that existing laws and regulatory mechanisms were sufficient to address violations of building and land-use regulations.
Senior Director Shakeel Siddiqui, whose signature appears on the latest notification, said the new land-use regime would take effect immediately.
The development is expected to have implications for Karachi’s property market, particularly for owners of residential plots, developers and businesses operating in areas where commercial activity has expanded over the years.
However, the withdrawal of the earlier notification does not remove the requirement for regulatory scrutiny. Property owners seeking commercialization will still have to comply with zoning rules, master plans, building regulations and approval procedures prescribed by the relevant authorities.
The latest move therefore marks the beginning of a new phase in Karachi’s land-use policy rather than an unrestricted opening of residential areas for commercial development. The implementation of the court’s order, and how regulatory authorities process future land-use applications, is likely to remain closely watched by the city’s property sector.