Karachi Land Use: Sindh Withdraws Residential Conversion Ban
The Sindh Master Plan Authority has withdrawn the Karachi land use ban on converting residential plots for commercial use. The move marks a major shift in Karachi’s long-running land-use dispute.However, the withdrawal does not give property owners automatic permission for commercial use. Officials said applicants must still follow laws, master plans and approval procedures.
Court order leads to policy change
The authority acted after the Federal Constitutional Court issued an order on May 12, 2026. The decision removes a 2019 Sindh Building Control Authority notification that restricted land-use changes.Earlier, the court had lifted restrictions on converting residential plots for commercial and recreational purposes. The decision provided relief to builders, developers and other affected property owners.
However, the court kept strict protection for amenity plots. These include parks, hospitals, schools, mosques, playgrounds and graveyards.Such plots cannot become commercial or residential property. Therefore, authorities must continue to protect these public-use spaces.During the hearing, Justice Aamer Farooq said the court would not interfere with institutional functions. He also said affected parties could appeal High Court decisions.
New rules apply immediately
The latest notification formally implements the court’s May 2026 order. It also withdrew the SBCA notification issued in January 2019.The notification directs all concerned departments to follow the court order fully. Senior Director Shakeel Siddiqui signed the notification.
Siddiqui also said the new land-use framework would take effect immediately. Therefore, property owners must follow the current legal requirements.Karachi has faced land-use disputes for many years. Residential plots often become the centre of debates over commercial development.The issue gained fresh attention after Supreme Court orders in 2018 and 2019. Those decisions placed major restrictions on land-use changes.
As a result, property owners and developers faced difficulties when seeking commercial approvals. Businesses also faced uncertainty over expansion into residential areas.Now, the court order and new notification have changed Karachi’s land-use framework. However, authorities will continue to regulate conversions under existing laws.
