Profit above all

Private housing societies across Pakistan are rapidly expanding, often with little regard for green spaces or sustainable urban planning. While regulatory bodies must support economic activity, they must also do their part to enforce sustainable development standards. It is disheartening to see some authorities appear more focused on extracting revenues or working hand-in-hand with non-compliant developers, rather than ensuring that environmental and zoning regulations are upheld. If Pakistan’s real estate sector is to flourish in a meaningful and responsible way, it must be built on transparency, sustainability and long-term vision and not just short-term profits. Sustainable development should not be an afterthought. It must be a core principle guiding all future real-estate projects.

Shahzeb Hammad

Islamabad