Before you pay for a plot in Sindh, check which authority approved the housing scheme and whether it is on a list of illegal schemes. In Karachi, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) deals with building approvals. Outside Karachi, the Sindh Master Plan Authority has named hundreds of illegal schemes. Cooperative societies fall under the Sindh Co-operation Department. The public guidance I found is several years old, so this guide shows what to check and tells you where the information may be out of date.
Step 1: Find Out Which Authority Applies
- Karachi buildings and projects: SBCA. Zameen’s guide, based on an SBCA notification from 2020, says a building plan should be approved by SBCA, and the layout plan for an open plot scheme should be approved by the Karachi Development Authority or another relevant authority.
- Residential schemes across Sindh: The Directorate of Town Planning at the Sindh Master Plan Authority issued notices to 313 unauthorised residential schemes, according to ProPakistani and Zameen.
- Cooperative housing societies: The Co-operation Department of the Government of Sindh. In 2021 it warned the public against “bogus and unlawful housing schemes,” according to Zameen, and advised buyers to check the project with the appropriate Department of Cooperation office.
Step 2: Check the Illegal Schemes List
ProPakistani reported that 313 schemes in 28 districts and 37 tehsils were declared unauthorised. Zameen dates the report to 6 April 2023. The district counts it lists include:
| District | Schemes |
|---|---|
| Naushahro Feroze | 74 |
| Nawabshah | 24 |
| Mirpur Khas | 23 |
| Hyderabad | 20 |
| Khairpur | 19 |
| Matiari | 18 |
| Sukkur | 14 |
| Larkana | 11 |
These eight districts account for 203 of the schemes. The reports do not list the other 110. SBCA also issued a list that includes some of the same schemes. The articles do not reproduce the full list, so get the current one from the Sindh Master Plan Authority or SBCA. I could not find a current official list, and the figures above are from 2023, so ask the authorities whether it has been updated.
Step 3: Check Approvals in Karachi
The SBCA guidance reported by Zameen says to:
- Check that the building plan is approved by SBCA, and that the layout plan of a plot scheme is approved by the Karachi Development Authority or another relevant authority.
- Compare the project’s details, such as location, developer, number of plots or floors and price, with public notices on the SBCA website and in newspapers.
- Ask whether the developer has an SBCA No Objection Certificate (NOC) for sale and advertisement.
- Use a written agreement in the SBCA’s “Model Agreement” form, attested by ABAD (Association of Builders and Developers).
- After possession, ask the developer to register the unit’s sublease in your name.
This guidance is from 2020 and is for buildings and apartment projects more than open plots. The SBCA can change its rules, so confirm the current version. The SBCA complaint cell number in that report is 021-99230981, extension 428, which I could not confirm is still in use.
Step 4: Check Cooperative Societies
For a cooperative housing society, ask the Co-operation Department office that covers the area whether the society is registered and authorised to sell plots. The 2021 warning says people involved in selling or buying such schemes can face legal action under the Cooperative Societies Act. I could not find a public list of registered societies.
Step 5: Ask the Developer for Documents
- The approved layout plan and the approving authority’s letter, with its number and date.
- The NOC for sale and advertisement.
- Proof of land ownership.
- Your plot’s allotment letter or file, and the transfer papers.
- For apartments, the approved building plan and a plan for possession.
I could not find a single official Sindh checklist, so treat this as a list of common checks and confirm with the authority.
Red Flags
- The developer will not show approval papers or says approval is “on the way.”
- Plots are sold only on file or token, with pressure to pay quickly.
- The scheme appears in a list of unauthorised schemes.
- The approval is from an office with no authority over the land.
- Cash-only payment or no receipts.
Related Guides
See our guides on checking housing societies in Punjab and in Islamabad.
What I Could Not Confirm
- A current, official list of approved and illegal schemes for Sindh.
- The SBCA, Sindh Master Plan Authority and Co-operation Department web addresses.
- Whether the SBCA guidance and complaint number are still current.
- Any 2026 changes to Sindh’s approval rules.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who approves housing schemes in Sindh?
It depends on the type. SBCA handles building plans in Karachi, the Karachi Development Authority approves layout plans for plot schemes there, and cooperative societies fall under the Co-operation Department.
Is there a list of illegal schemes?
Yes. The Sindh Master Plan Authority issued notices to 313 schemes, according to a 2023 report.
Do I need an NOC?
SBCA says the developer should hold an NOC for sale and advertisement.
Can I trust an agent’s word?
No. Check approvals with the authority and ask for papers.
What if the scheme is a cooperative society?
Ask the Co-operation Department whether it is registered.
Check the authority’s lists, ask for the approval papers and get everything in writing before you pay.
