Karachi, May 12, 2026: Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Muhammad Hassan Bakshi has welcomed the decision of the Federal Constitutional Court to lift the ban on the conversion of residential plots into commercial use, describing it as a highly significant development for the construction industry, urban planning, and the economy.
Chairman ABAD Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi said that unlike other cities of Pakistan, the suspension of legal commercialization of residential plots in Karachi had allowed the illegal portion mafia to remain continuously active. He stated that this uncertain situation not only damaged the construction sector but also undermined investors’ confidence.
He said that the case regarding the legal commercialization of residential plots had remained pending in court since 2019, and its verdict was finally announced in 2026 after seven years. According to him, if court decisions are made in a timely manner, the country’s economic wheel continues to move smoothly and investment activities do not face unnecessary obstacles. He further said that delayed judgments adversely affect business activities and leave citizens facing prolonged uncertainty.
Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi clarified that ABAD firmly believes that the commercial conversion of parks, mosques, hospitals, and other amenity plots should never be allowed under any circumstances, as these areas are designated for public welfare and community services. He added that balanced urban development cannot be achieved without protecting civic amenities.
He further said that in Karachi, various cases related to law and order issues and illegal constructions continued to witness the filing of CMAs (Civil Miscellaneous Applications) in courts, causing citizens and investors to suffer from difficulties and uncertainty for years. He noted that this situation had also severely affected construction activities and development projects.
The ABAD chairman stated that following the recent decision of the Federal Constitutional Court, the judicial process has now been restored, which is a positive and welcome development. He expressed hope that the verdict would improve legal construction activities and the process of urban planning in Karachi while restoring investors’ confidence.
Muhammad Hassan Bakhshi said that ABAD congratulates all its members on the Federal Constitutional Court’s decision and expects that matters related to the construction sector will, in the future, move forward in accordance with laws and regulations to ensure Karachi’s sustainable and organized development.
