Karachi: Chairperson of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Muhammad Hassan Bakshi has called for a long-term, depoliticized master plan for Karachi to ensure sustainable development, organized growth, and efficient urban management.
Speaking at a ceremony during a visit by a delegation from the international consultancy firm Dar Al-Handasah to the ABAD House, Bakshi said that Karachi needs a comprehensive development framework that outlines the city’s direction for the next 50 years. He stressed that such a plan would not only chart a roadmap for future growth but also help address existing administrative, urban, and environmental challenges.
The Dar Al-Handasah delegation was led by Project Manager David Gundry, accompanied by Deputy Project Manager Saleem Eid and Junior Planner Adeeba.
Bakshi noted that a well-structured master plan would guide where industrial zones should be developed and how residential areas should expand, helping to curb unplanned construction, traffic congestion, and water and drainage problems. He added that proper planning could also ease pressure on the city’s environment.
He emphasized the need for a unified authority dedicated to Karachi’s sustainable development and called for the master plan to remain free from political interference. The plan, he said, must include strong measures for environmental protection, particularly for preserving mangroves and coastal areas.
Highlighting Karachi’s economic importance, the ABAD chairperson said that steering the city’s development in the right direction would have a positive impact on Pakistan’s overall economy.
Bakshi further stated that the proposed master plan should integrate land use, transport, housing, industrial development, and environmental sustainability to transform Karachi into a modern, well-organized metropolis. He assured that ABAD would fully cooperate with the government and relevant agencies in preparing a practical and realistic long-term plan.
During the event, Gundry gave a detailed presentation on the Greater Karachi Regional Plan 2047, which includes strategies for infrastructure, housing, transport, environment, and climate resilience. He noted that Dar Al-Handasah has more than six decades of experience and has successfully developed master plans for major global cities including Dubai, Doha, Beirut, and Cairo.
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