After 24 years, the Sindh government, with financial support from the World Bank, has initiated a property census in Karachi
Irfan Ali
After 24 years, the Sindh government, with financial support from the World Bank, has initiated a property census in Karachi. In 25 towns, local teams are systematically collecting digital data on residential, commercial, and industrial properties.
The last property survey in Karachi was conducted in 2001. Now, under the Competitive and Livable City of Karachi (CLICK) project, the property census has been restarted.
According to Project Director Murtaza Ali Agha, the survey will be completed within one year across seven districts of Karachi. The collected data will help selected Town Municipal Corporations improve property tax collection.
Surveyor Agha Athar Ali, working in Safoora Town, explains that digital maps on tablets are used to gather data from homes between 10 AM and 6 PM. While some residents cooperate, others refuse to share information.
According to Sindh government records, only 900,000 properties currently pay property tax in Karachi. However, once the survey and modern tax collection system are implemented, officials estimate that the taxable properties will increase to 3.3 million.
