Islamabad: The Balochistan Local Government and Rural Development Department has specified a timeframe for processing no objection certificates (NOCs) for building plans, WealthPK reported.
The provincial department has notified that the NOCs will be issued within 25 working days. Earlier, there was no time frame, which not only created hurdles, but also discouraged investors.
The Board of Investment (BOI), after marathon consultations with the stakeholders and the Naya Pakistan Development Authority, proposed that the Balochistan Local Government and Rural Development Department specify a timeframe for processing NOCs.
A BOI official informed WealthPK that without any timelines for issuance of NOCs/permits required for low-risk buildings, the process was inefficient which increased the cost and delayed the construction process especially along the China-Pakistan Economic Route (CPEC) route. There was a dire need to specify timelines for issuance of permits to boost the construction sector in Balochistan.
The official said after detailed deliberations with the department concerned, it was agreed that there should be a specific time limit for issuance of NOCS/permits.
Accordingly, the competent authority notified the revised rules. This initiative will also promote real estate investment trust (REIT) in Balochistan, as the local investors are much interested in construction of buildings under the REIT programme.
A Balochistan Development Authority (BDA) official told WealthPK that there was a dire need for the timeline reform for timely completion of projects without encumbering additional costs.
The Authority has future projects like construction of a cement factory at Gwadar, an apple processing plant in Quetta and a chemical unit at Lasbella. The reform will ensure timely completion of all infrastructural projects.
The official said that the registration fee charged by the labour department was unwarranted and discouraged businesses for registration. Therefore, the registration fee charged by the labour department was also waived off.
According to the Balochistan Building Control and Town Planning Rules, 2021, ‘’Every person who intends to carry out building works or to demolish a building or to carry out additions, alterations or repairs in a building shall engage for the process of permits which may categorize to general development permit for land development and special development permit or any other land development’’.
The investors can submit applications along with the required documents to the building control desk of the BDA. After scrutiny of documents, the estate directorate will be bound to issue an NOC within the time frame.
INP
