Sindh Real Estate News and Land Insights

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Serious fire safety deficiencies have been identified at the National Institute of Child Health (NICH), Karachi, with the hospital’s fourth, fifth and sixth floors declared highly vulnerable to fire hazards following a detailed safety audit.
The findings were highlighted in a fire safety audit conducted by the Assistant Commissioner of Saddar Sub-Division, which identified critical shortcomings in electrical, oxygen, ventilation, fire detection and emergency evacuation systems across different sections of the hospital, including the Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU).
The audit raised particular concern over the arrangement of electrical and oxygen points inside the NICU, where the two systems have reportedly been installed extremely close to each other, creating a potentially dangerous fire and explosion risk.
The inspection also detected leakage in the oxygen supply line. According to the report, tape had been used as a temporary measure to seal joints in the oxygen pipeline, raising serious questions about the condition and maintenance of the hospital’s oxygen infrastructure.
Unsafe and exposed electrical wiring was also observed at various locations. The report further noted that temporary wiring had been installed for old air-conditioning units, leaving electrical connections exposed and increasing the risk of short circuits and fire.
The NICU’s mechanical ventilation system was found to be non-functional, adding another major concern in an area where critically ill newborns and infants require controlled and safe environmental conditions.
The hospital’s fire detection and warning systems were also found to be in poor condition. The audit reported that the fire alarm system was not functioning, while most of the smoke detectors installed at the facility were also out of order.
The availability of firefighting equipment was found to be inadequate, with the number of fire extinguishers at NICH considered insufficient to provide an effective first response in the event of a fire.
The audit also highlighted serious shortcomings in staff preparedness. Hospital employees had reportedly not received adequate training in fire emergency response, while regular fire drills were not being conducted. The lack of preparedness could significantly delay evacuation and emergency response during an actual fire.
Emergency evacuation routes were another major concern. The inspection found that emergency exits had been blocked by equipment and waste, potentially preventing patients, attendants and hospital staff from escaping quickly in an emergency.
The report also raised concerns over unrestricted public access to the hospital’s power room. According to the audit, the area lacked adequate firefighting arrangements and smoke detection equipment, creating an additional risk around critical electrical infrastructure.
The inspection findings have assumed greater significance in light of previous fire incidents at the hospital. The audit referred to a fire that broke out in the ICU on June 30. It also cited a January 2020 incident in which a newborn died after a fire erupted in an incubator.
Despite these incidents, the report noted that comprehensive fire safety arrangements had yet to be fully implemented across the hospital.
The audit recommended immediate corrective measures to eliminate hazards associated with electrical and oxygen systems, repair the ventilation infrastructure and restore the fire alarm and smoke detection systems.
It also called for all emergency exits to be cleared immediately, adequate fire extinguishers to be installed and regular fire safety drills to be conducted to ensure that hospital staff can respond effectively during emergencies.
The report stressed that comprehensive and effective fire safety arrangements must be implemented across NICH without further delay, particularly in areas such as the NICU where vulnerable newborns and critically ill children require immediate protection and rapid evacuation in case of fire.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Only around 2 per cent of ever married women in Pakistan own land, either independently or jointly, highlighting a deep gender gap in property ownership and economic empowerment, according to a latest study by the Sustainable Development Policy Institute (SDPI).
The study found that the disparity persists despite women’s significant contribution to Pakistan’s agricultural economy. Around 67pc of employed women work in agriculture, yet only 1.5pc of agricultural households are formally registered as female-headed, underscoring the disconnect between women’s economic contribution and their ownership of productive assets.
According to the findings, approximately 2pc of ever-married women aged 15 to 49 own land alone or jointly, while 97.2pc have neither inherited land nor a house. The situation is particularly severe in Sindh, where 99.1pc of women reportedly do not own land, either independently or jointly.
The study also highlighted substantial financial and digital inequalities that further restrict women’s ability to build economic security. While 56pc of men have full service financial accounts, only 14pc of women have such accounts. Similarly, mobile wallet ownership stands at 48pc among men compared with just 11pc among women.
SDPI said the exclusion becomes even more serious as climate related risks increasingly threaten rural livelihoods. The devastating floods of 2022 caused more than $30 billion in damages and economic losses, while an estimated $16.3bn was required for resilient reconstruction.
The study noted that a large proportion of the population remains inadequately recognised as active agricultural workers. It stressed that strengthening the rural economy, particularly agriculture and livestock, is essential for broader economic growth and called for stronger partnerships between research institutions and financial-sector organisations to improve understanding of women’s economic realities.
The findings also reveal the disproportionate impact of climate change on women farmers. More than nine out of 10 women farmers surveyed experienced at least one extreme climate related event during the previous five years, including heatwaves, floods, heavy rainfall or drought-like conditions. More than 80pc reported crop losses or other negative impacts on farming.
Borrowing emerged as one of the most common coping mechanisms across the districts surveyed. In Khushab, every woman who reported using a coping strategy had borrowed money, while more than half had also sold livestock—potentially weakening an important source of future household income.
SDPI argued that women farmers are already performing agricultural work, absorbing climate shocks and borrowing to sustain their livelihoods, but the formal financial system does not adequately reflect these realities.
The study concluded that Pakistan urgently needs gender responsive and climate resilient financial solutions that do not rely solely on traditional requirements such as land ownership, individual mobility or digital access.
It proposed a practical framework for developing inclusive climate finance, with implications for banks and other financial institutions, regulators, development finance institutions and development partners, aimed at helping women protect their livelihoods, recover from climate shocks and build long-term economic resilience.

Karachi : ReNews Pakistan
Faisal Town Group will hold the third edition of its Grand Property Showcase in Karachi on September 12 and 13, 2026, at the PC Hotel. The two day event will run from 10:00 AM to 7:00 PM on both days.
The property showcase is aimed at connecting Karachi based buyers and overseas Pakistanis with the developer’s portfolio and investment opportunities. The event will feature a range of residential and commercial property options from the group’s developments.
Faisal Town Group’s real estate portfolio is primarily concentrated in the Islamabad Rawalpindi region and includes major developments such as Faisal Town and Faisal Hills. The group has also expanded its portfolio to include commercial properties, apartments, mixed-use developments and high-rise projects.
The showcase is expected to feature different property formats, including residential and commercial plots, apartments and shops. However, a complete inventory of projects and units available for booking at the event has not been disclosed, making it important for prospective buyers to obtain project-specific details, prices and payment plans directly from the organisers.
Faisal Hills is among the group’s prominent developments and is located near the Taxila and GT Road corridor. The project has progressed into different development stages and has also expanded into vertical formats, including apartments and mixed-use structures.
The wider range of property formats means investors will need to assess projects according to their individual characteristics. For plots, factors such as block location, development status, possession and utility access remain important, while apartment and commercial buyers may need to consider approvals, floor plans, construction progress, parking and maintenance arrangements.
The decision to hold the showcase in Karachi provides the developer with an opportunity to reach one of Pakistan’s largest property-investor markets and engage directly with buyers from the city as well as overseas Pakistani families.
No universal discount or special concession has been officially specified for the Karachi event. Buyers considering any promotional offer are advised to obtain written details covering the original price, event price, booking amount, instalment schedule and any additional charges before making an investment decision.