Karachi, September 27, 2024: The Chairman of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), Asif Samsam, and Senior Vice Chairman Ibrahim Habib have expressed concern over the increasing encroachments, the sudden rise in service charges and taxes on the sale, purchase, and transfer of plots, and the use of KDA residential plots in Clifton for commercial purposes. They have called for immediate resolution of these issues.
They shared these views during a meeting with the Director General of the Karachi Development Authority (KDA), Syed Shujaat Hussain, held at ABAD House. At the meeting, Senior Director of KDA, M. Waryal Andhar, was appointed as the focal person to address ABAD’s concerns. Additionally, approval was granted to include an ABAD member in the KDA Governing Body, for which a formal letter from ABAD was requested.
The meeting was attended by ABAD Vice Chairman Zeeshan Siddiqui, Southern Region Chairman Mustafa Sheikhani, KDA officials, and a large number of ABAD members. Chairman Asif Samsam voiced concerns about illegal encroachments on ABAD members’ plots, causing significant distress to builders and developers. He urged the DG KDA to take strict action against these encroachments.
On this occasion, Senior Vice Chairman Ibrahim Habib highlighted that KDA-leased residential plots in Clifton Blocks 8 and 9 are being used for commercial purposes, calling for immediate action by the KDA against this misuse. He proposed forming a high-profile committee comprising representatives from KDA, ABAD, and the Clifton Residents Society to conduct a survey and report, based on which the leases of those misusing residential plots for commercial purposes would be canceled.
Ibrahim Habib also raised concerns over the sudden increase in charges for the sale, transfer, mutation, lease extension, and NOCs of plots by the KDA, urging consultation with stakeholders before any such tax hikes to ensure harmony. He further pointed out that ABAD members had purchased auctioned plots on University Road, but these plots have been illegally occupied. He requested the DG KDA to activate the anti-encroachment cell and clear the occupied plots.
DG KDA, Shujaat Hussain, assured that resolving ABAD’s issues is a top priority, emphasizing the construction industry’s critical role in the national economy. He noted that ongoing construction activities contribute billions of rupees in taxes and help reduce unemployment. He promised strict action against encroachments on auctioned plots on University Road and announced the formation of a committee to address the commercial use of residential plots in Clifton, with mutual consultation to resolve the matter.
The DG also announced a committee comprising ABAD members and KDA officials to address issues related to plot sales, transfers, and taxes, with a meeting scheduled for October ist.
