Controlled expansion

Pakistan's cities are expanding rapidly without proper planning, leading to significant challenges that demand urgent attention. A report by the Asian Development Bank has raised alarms about the rising costs of providing essential services to citizens as urban sprawl continues unchecked. The report recommends that Pakistan devise short, medium, and long-term plans to manage this growth effectively, with each megacity requiring a master plan and proper zoning to make land use efficient.

Local governments that successfully implement these plans should be rewarded, while penalties should be imposed on those that fail. The concept of controlling urban expansion is not new. Had this approach been followed, many current issues, such as revenue collection problems, could have been avoided. Authorities at all levels must act on these recommendations, ensuring that laws and plans are implemented with integrity and free from the influence of powerful interests.

Ahsan ul haq Shaikh

Chunian