KARACHI, June 24: Sindh Local Government Minister Agha Siraj Durrani unveiled a special plan on Tuesday, allowing construction of 100-storey or above high-rise buildings in the city.

The plan, however, is in violation of a City Council resolution, under which only 21 thoroughfares were commercialised, where residential plots can be given commercial status for construction of high-rise buildings, etc.

The proposed ‘special law for high density development in Karachi’ was made by the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) and it would be implemented within the municipal limits of the city. It would not be applicable to areas controlled by the cantonment boards, Defence Housing Authority or other land controlling authorities.

Speaking at a press conference, the minister said that 100-storey or above buildings could be constructed at any commercial plot, measuring a minimum of 5,000 square yards, but it should be located on a minimum of 100-ft wide road.

“There will be no condition regarding location of a plot in any particular area and there will be no bar on amalgamation of plots. The builder, however, will have to pay conversion charges as determined by the master plan department,” he said.

Mr Durrani maintained that it would be the responsibility of the builder of any such project to make arrangement from his own resources for power-generation, sewage treatment and disposal and supply of potable water.

He said the builders of high-rise buildings would not be allowed to utilise the existing infrastructure of water, sewerage and electricity. “There will be no load on existing power supply, water and sewerage systems as project owners would install small units for power generation and sewerage treatment,” he made it clear.

He said the builders concerned would have to submit details regarding consultant firms, contractors and technology to be used in the construction of high-rise buildings. The Environment Impact Assessment would be a must for all such projects.

The minister said all stakeholders, including civil society, experts, architects, town-planners and builders would be consulted prior to any legislation in this regard.

He said the proposed plan would be tabled in the Sindh Assembly for legislation after the budget session.

“People have sent their investment abroad and we want them to bring back their investment here,” he added.

Sources told Dawn that during the era of former city nazim Naimatullah Khan, the City Council had commercialised 21 major roads where high-rise buildings could be constructed. They said that the entire water and sewerage system of the city would collapse in case of approval of the KBCA plan in all areas of the city.

“The KBCA is trying to commercialise the whole city through its plan,” said a source.

The City Council had commercialised Sharea Faisal (Metropole Hotel to Malir Bridge), Tariq Road (Allahwali Chowrangi to Bahadurabad commercial area and Sindhi Muslim Society to Sharea Faisal, Captain Farid Bukhari Road), Rashid Minhas Road (Scheme-16, 24 and 36 from Drive-In Cinema to Shafiq Morr), University Road (Scheme-24 and 36, from Civic Centre to Safoora Chowrangi), Shahrah-i-Pakistan (Scheme-16 from Teen Hatti Bridge to Sohrab Goth), Nazimabad-A Road (Lasbella Bridge to Circular Railway line on left side), Sher Shah Suri Road in North Nazimabad (Board Office Chowrangi to Sakhi Hassan Chowrangi on both sides, Block B-N and Block A-J), Shahrah-i-Jahangir in North Nazimabad (Block H to L), Khayaban-i-Iqbal (Clifton Road Bridge to Two Swords), Khayaban-i-Jami (ST-10 to ST-13), Khalid bin Waleed Road (K-107 to 168 G. Church), Jamaluddin Afghani Road (PTV Station to Plot No. 1 adjacent to Shaheed-i-Millat), Allama Iqbal Road (Kashmir Road to Jheel Park on both sides), Sir Syed Ahmed Road (Tariq Road to Khalid bin Waleed Road on both sides), Shaheed-i-Millat Road (Haider Ali Chowrangi to Jail Chowrangi on both sides), Chaudhry Khaleeq-uz-Zaman Road (Block 8, 9 Askari Market to Ch. Khaleequz Zaman Colony), Beach Avenue Road (Darakhshan Police Station to Casino Chowrangi), Khayaban-i-Saadi, Khyaban-i-Rumi, Nishtar Road and Alamgir Road.