TFD Report
KARACHI: In a historic step to liberate the real estate sector-the largest backbone of the national economy after agriculture-from blackmailing, fraudulent practices by untrained elements, and financial risks amounting to billions of rupees, over 18 real estate associations from across Karachi, under the leadership of Chairman All Karachi Realtors Alliance Kashif Shah, have unanimously presented the comprehensive draft of ‘The Sindh Realtors Council Act, 2026’ to the Government of Sindh and the media. The objective of this legislation is to provide legal protection and institutional structure to this multi-trillion rupee sector.
In a spirited press conference held at the Karachi Press Club, Kashif Shah was joined by genuine and prominent leadership of the real estate sector, including Raheel Haroon (Chairman All Karachi Realtors Association & Chairman Bahria Town Realtors Association), Noor Ahmed Abrejo (Chairman All Sindh Realtors Association & former President Defense Clifton Real Estate Association), Hayat Khan (Chairman Pakistan Real Estate Cobroker Association), Haji Suhail Athar (President Surjani Town Property Dealers Welfare Association), Advocate Shakeel Ahmed (Chairman North Karachi Estate Dealers Welfare Association), Shahid Umrani (President MDA Realtors Association), and Rauf Memon (President All Scheme 33 Realtors Association), along with senior office-bearers from across Karachi.
Addressing the press conference, Kashif Shah stated that developed nations across the globe-such as Singapore, Canada, the United States, Australia, and China-possess autonomous legal licensing councils for property brokerage. Just as Pakistan has PMDC for doctors, Bar Councils for lawyers, and PEC for engineers, an autonomous ‘Sindh Realtors Council’ is the paramount need of the hour for real estate brokerage. He clarified that collecting taxes is the responsibility of the FBR, but no tax department can oversee the ethics, training standards, licensing, and professional career development of a profession.
It was highlighted on the occasion that under the proposed Act, formal licenses will be issued to all realtors across Sindh, verifiable instantly within a second via modern QR Code technology, making buyers and investors 100% secure. Furthermore, an authentic database of all offices and agents will be established, the tax net will be expanded, and Pakistan’s international financial image will be bolstered through the prevention of money laundering. Overseas Pakistanis residing abroad will now be able to execute their investments with complete security through verified and licensed realtors from anywhere in the world. The implementation of written agency agreements and client accounts will safeguard buyers’ capital, while an independent disciplinary committee will ensure swift grievance redressal in case of any injustice.
Highlighting a key feature of the Act, Kashif Shah announced the establishment of the ‘Realtors Social
Security, Pension, Insurance & Welfare Fund.’ Through this self-sustainable model, realtors will receive monthly pensions after retirement, health insurance, accidental coverage, and educational stipends for their children. Concurrently, providing legal cover to written contracts will permanently end the practice of usurping realtors’ legitimate commission earnings.
Speaking to the media, Kashif Shah indicated that following the Sindh Assembly, preparations have been finalized to table the proposed Realtors Council draft before other provincial assemblies and the federal parliament in collaboration with real estate associations nationwide.
The leaders clarified that this Council is neither a land title authority nor an adjudication body for land ownership, nor will it interfere in town planning by developers or builders. All existing associations will retain complete autonomy alongside their distinct identities, and the leadership of the Council will be elected through transparent democratic elections. They announced that following Sindh, this model will be implemented across Pakistan.
Expressing their views, other leaders present at the press conference added their insights: Raheel Haroon (Chairman, All Karachi Realtors Association) stated that licensing and digital QR codes will accord true professional dignity to this sector, citing provincial autonomy under the 18th Constitutional Amendment where real estate falls under provincial domain for policy formulation. Noor Ahmed Abrejo (Chairman, All Sindh Realtors Association) expressed full confidence of all district associations across Sindh in the Council, noting that equal representation for small and large areas guarantees the survival of realtors.
Hayat Khan (Chairman, Pakistan Real Estate Cobroker Association) emphasized that the hard work of field workers and co-brokers will no longer be usurped due to written contracts and commission protection insurance. Haji Suhail Athar (President, Surjani Town Property Dealers Welfare Association) noted that ‘client accounts’ will protect middle-class savings and honest dealers alike in expanding areas like Surjani Town. Advocate Shakeel Ahmed (Chairman, North Karachi Estate Dealers Welfare Association) highlighted the fully democratic and autonomous structure where the government acts as a regulatory supervisor with complete right of appeal reserved. Shahid Umrani (President, MDA Realtors Association) termed the social security and pension fund a historic revolutionary step for realtors who spend their lives providing shelter to others. The President of All Scheme 33 Realtors Association added that a census of real estate offices and agents across Karachi, Sindh, and Pakistan is essential for business growth and market documentation.
Concluding the press conference, all leaders jointly appealed to the Chief Minister of Sindh and members of the Sindh Provincial Assembly to immediately complete the legal vetting of ‘The Sindh Realtors Council Act, 2026’ in the public and economic interest and enact it into law, ushering in a new era of domestic and foreign investment while eliminating unemployment in the province.
