Construction of high-rise buildings: Ministerial body to formulate recommendations

ISLAMABAD: A high-level ministerial committee is to formulate recommendations for removal of restrictions on construction of high-rise buildings in the country on the pattern of Dubai, Hong Kong and New York, well informed sources told Business Recorder.

The committee constituted on August 9, 2019 has been expanded to examine if the notified restrictions were in accordance with international standards.

During discussion in Cabinet on September 30, 2021, Prime Minister pointed out that it had been brought to his knowledge that despite the Cabinet's decision to dispense with the requirement of NOC from CAA and PAF, the practice was still in vogue.

The visual illustration of Civil Aviation Rule - 6g (Obstacle Limitation surface) was also presented. It was highlighted that the 4 km area surrounding the runway was called "Inner Horizontal" which had the building height restriction of 147 ft.

The 2km surrounding the Inner Horizontal was called 'Conical', with height limitation of 147ft to 476ft depending on the distance from runway and the 9 km area beyond the Conical and 15 km from the runway, was Outer Horizontal, with height restriction of 492ft. The Services International Hotel, Lahore, was located in the conical area and as per the formula, the height restriction of 245ft was determined.

Construction of high-rise buildings: Aviation Division relaxes requirements: minister

With regard to directions of the cabinet to examine the Aviation Policy and highlight any deviations, if made, and reasons thereof; the Secretary Aviation requested that matter was being examined and detailed report would be submitted to the Cabinet in two weeks' time.

Secretary Aviation, while admitting that CAA/PAF were still issuing NoCs, explained that as per the decision of the Cabinet, the responsibility was shifted to Building Control Authorities (BCAS) but due to lack of aeronautical consideration expertise, they were not issuing NOCs. As a stop-gap arrangement, the past practice continued till August 2021 and now BCAs have been given orientation/training to issue NOCs.

With reference to Cabinet's earlier decisions of January 14, 2020 and September 21, 2021, the Prime Minister reiterated that the spirit was to make it easy for developers/investors/builders to invest in high-rises not only to boost economic activities in the construction and allied sectors but also to reduce pressure on horizontal expansion of cities instead of vertical and resultant pressure on scarce agriculture/fertile land. The Prime Minister noted with concern that decisions of the Cabinet are not being implemented on ground with the same spirit and pace.

Pointing to the skyscrapers built within the 15 km range from the aerodromes in the cities like Hong Kong, Dubai and New York, the members sought clarification as to whether these were in violation of international standards.

Since no satisfactory explanation was offered by the Aviation Division, it was suggested that the committee constituted earlier, with addition of few new members, should examine whether the notified restrictions were in accordance with the international standards, while taking into account the examples of Hong Kong, Dubai and New York. The Committee would also ascertain the problems being faced by the builders and submit a report in the next Cabinet meeting.

After detailed discussion, the Cabinet decided that the Committee constituted on August 9, 2021 with the addition of Minister for Planning, Development & Special Initiatives, Minister for Science & Technology and Special Assistant to the prime Minister on National Health Services, Regulations & Coordination, after taking input of relevant stakeholders (builders, developers, Ministry of Defence, PAF etc) present to the Cabinet a report/recommendation about: (i) removing impediments in shifting from NOC regime to compliance regime in matter of Aviation laws/rules in this regard;(ii) identifying and rectifying problems faced by developers/builders in this regard;(iii) reviewing international standards, while taking into account the examples of Hong Kong, Dubai and New York. Aviation Division would provide Secretariat support to the Committee. Omar Ayub Khan, the then Minister for Power and now Minister for Economic Affairs shall continue as the member of the Committee;(iv) Ministry of Defence would submit a report on measures proposed/underway/taken to encourage high rises in Cantonment limits;(v) Ministry of Housing would submit a report after getting inputs from Provincial Governments on height restrictions in cities/ towns with analysis of these restrictions and what measures can the provincial Governments take to encourage high rises with a spirit to reduce horizontal expansion and pressure on conversion of agricultural/farming land as such unplanned and rapid conversion is a threat to food security of the country;(vi) Cabinet acceded to the request of Secretary Aviation Division and directed him to present the report on "Aviation Policy its implementation status, highlighting any deviations (if made) and the reasons thereof" within two weeks.

Copyright Business Recorder, 2021