Karachi’s real estate market may be booming, but this growth has come at the expense of millions of middle and lower-income families. Despite the increasing number of luxury developments, the city is grappling with a severe housing shortage. Around 60 per cent of Karachi’s population lives in informal settlements, where access to basic services like clean water, sanitation, and electricity remains limited. As the city’s population grows rapidly, this crisis is becoming even more acute. To tackle this, the government must create incentives for developers to build affordable, sustainable housing.
Measures like tax breaks for builders who commit to low-cost housing, subsidies for construction materials, and relaxation of zoning laws could help alleviate the shortage. Additionally, these new developments must prioritise sustainability, with green building practices and energy-efficient designs to reduce long-term costs for residents. Without urgent action, the gap between luxury housing and the rest of Karachi’s population will only continue to widen. It is essential that affordable housing be made a priority to ensure a fairer, more inclusive future for Karachi’s residents.
S Ramsha Abbas Rizvi
Karachi
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