Builders urge Punjab to follow Sindh

KARACHI: Builders on Monday urged the Punjab government to follow in footsteps of Sindh authorities, which approve the commercial projects of builders registered with an association only, to curb fraudulent activities. 

Chairman Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) Hanif Gohar, talking to the visiting Governor Punjab Rafiq Rajwana, said Sindh government restricted the issuance of no objection certificate for the sale of and regulatory approvals for the commercial projects to ABAD members only.

“Only ABAD members get the required approvals, pertaining to commercial projects, including housing schemes,” Gohar said. “This practice has purged the industry of fraudulent elements.”

He said the association is responsible for the conduct of its members. Chairman ABAD proposed to the governor that authorities in the Punjab might be bound to observe the similar practice.

“Linkages should be built between the provincial authorities to streamline the building and construction sector,” he said. “Property development industry suffered from weak public confidence due to the absence of clear and fair business practices, but now things have improved to a significant extent.”

ABAD, which is primarily a Karachi-based platform of industrialists, is expanding its footprints to other provinces. A number of ABAD members have already launched projects in Islamabad as well as in Lahore, while several others are planning to expand their business beyond Sindh.

Patron ABAD Mohsin Sheikhani offered his assistance and support in developing low-cost housing schemes in various cities of the Punjab. “With due assistance by provincial government, ABAD will be able to convert the slums into planned and proper localities,” Sheikhani said.

Rajwana said builders and developers play an important role in the establishment of a society anywhere in the world. “Housing is getting out of the reach of people and low-cost projects are the need of hour,” he added. He assured the builders of cooperation.