KARACHI: Chairperson of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi has welcomed the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision to lift the ban on the conversion of residential plots for commercial use.
Bakhshi described the decision as a significant development for the construction industry, urban planning and the economy and added that, unlike in other cities in Pakistan, the suspension of legal commercialisation of residential plots in Karachi had allowed illegal operators to remain active. He said the prolonged uncertainty had damaged the construction sector and weakened investors’ confidence.
He noted that the case relating to the legal commercialisation of residential plots had remained pending in court since 2019 and that the verdict was finally issued in 2026 after seven years.
According to him, timely judicial decisions help economic activity continue smoothly and prevent unnecessary obstacles to investment. He added that delayed judgments adversely affect business activity and leave citizens facing prolonged uncertainty.
Bakhshi clarified that ABAD firmly believes the commercial conversion of parks, mosques, hospitals and other amenity plots should not be permitted under any circumstances, as such areas are designated for public welfare and community services.
He added that balanced urban development cannot be achieved without protecting civic amenities. The ABAD chairperson further said that various cases in Karachi relating to law-and-order issues and illegal constructions had continued to face repeated filings of Civil Miscellaneous Applications (CMAs), resulting in prolonged uncertainty for citizens and investors.
He said the situation had also adversely affected construction activity and development projects in the city. Bakhshi said the recent Federal Constitutional Court ruling had restored the judicial process, calling it a positive development. He expressed hope that the decision would support legal construction activities and urban planning in Karachi while helping restore investors’ confidence.
He added that ABAD congratulated its members on the court’s decision and expected matters relating to the construction sector to proceed in accordance with laws and regulations to support Karachi’s sustainable and organised development.
