Karachi: The Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) has offered to reconstruct hundreds of unsafe buildings across Karachi, citing growing concern over the structural safety of aging and unauthorized constructions in the city.
At a press conference held at ABAD House on Monday, Chairman Mohammad Hassan Bakhshi highlighted the urgent need to address the condition of approximately 700 buildings deemed structurally unsafe. Flanked by senior office bearers including Senior Vice Chairman Syed Afzal Hameed, Vice Chairman Tariq Aziz, and Sufiyan Adhiya, Bakhshi stated that ABAD is willing to undertake the task of rebuilding all such hazardous structures within 700 days, provided the government grants formal approval.
The proposal comes in the wake of the recent building collapse in Karachi’s Lyari area, which resulted in multiple casualties and renewed public attention on building safety and urban management. According to Bakhshi, Karachi has seen the rise of millions of illegally constructed structures, some of which were built using substandard materials and designs that do not meet regulatory codes.
Calling the Lyari tragedy “deeply unfortunate,” ABAD urged the government to include private sector representation in any inquiry committee formed to investigate such incidents, in order to ensure transparency.
ABAD emphasized that it has long advocated for improved regulatory oversight and has submitted formal recommendations to prevent the construction of unauthorized buildings. These recommendations, the association noted, include measures to streamline approvals, enhance inspection regimes, and ensure that both builders and regulatory officials are held accountable under the law.
In a bid to support broader urban renewal, ABAD proposed launching a collaborative effort with government agencies to conduct a city-wide survey of unsafe buildings. It recommended that credible institutions such as the National Engineering Services Pakistan (NESPAK) or the National Disaster Management Authority (NDMA) be engaged to assist with technical assessments. Areas such as Lyari, Liaquatabad, and Delhi Colony were cited as particularly vulnerable to future structural failures.
Chairman Bakhshi also reiterated ABAD’s willingness to contribute to a long-term housing solution for Sindh, noting the growing demand for affordable, legal housing in urban centers like Karachi. He called for the launch of a housing scheme similar to one recently introduced in Punjab, offering to build up to 100,000 housing units in collaboration with domestic and international partners if assigned the task.
Addressing concerns around oversight, Sufiyan Adhiya, Convener of ABAD’s Subcommittee on the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), noted that ABAD had previously submitted a set of reforms and regulatory suggestions to the provincial government but said that implementation remained pending.
While acknowledging the scale of the challenge, ABAD urged a coordinated approach that includes the public sector, private developers, and regulatory bodies to ensure safe, affordable, and compliant urban growth. The association expressed hope that its offer would be considered seriously as part of Karachi’s broader development strategy.
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