KARACHI: People associated with the allied construction industry are still unclear if houses, hospitals and schools will be built using solid concrete or light materials after the reconstruction activity kicks off after winter. But, they see some business prospects owing to an increase in demand.

On the contrary, representatives of the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) appear to be unhappy as the government has not yet contacted them or sought their advice.

Executive Member of the Pakistan Sanitary Merchants and Manufacturers Association (PSMMA) Mohammad Amin Lasania said that the situation was still unclear about whether reconstruction of houses would use concrete walls or tin and galvanised sheets.

However, there would be an increase in demand for tiles and sanitary wares in the Muzaffarabad and other Kashmir areas but there would hardly be any demand in mountain areas.

“Tiles and sanitary demand may go up by 10 per cent in case houses are rebuilt with solid concrete materials,” he said.

Chairman of the Pakistan Paint Manufacturers Association (PPMA) Sami Ahmad Shaikh said the government had not yet indicated the type of material required in the reconstruction activity.

If tin and galvanised sheets were used for roofing and walls, there would hardly be any demand for paint but the demand would surge if walls were made of stones. Even if wood was used for building walls, paint would still be required, he said.

“The demand for paint may go up but it is hard to ascertain the actual percentage at this moment since there are no confirm reports about the material to be used in the reconstruction activity,” Mr Sami said, adding everything depended on the government’s plan.

Chairman ABAD, Hafiz ur Rahman Butt said the association had virtually been sidelined in the reconstruction activities as the government had not contacted the ABAD to seek any input or professional advice.

Perhaps the government would launch the reconstruction phase through its own departments and one could only presume about the future planning.

He did not favour building houses, hospitals and schools using solid material, saying the government should instead use light weight material to avert massive human casualties in future earthquakes.

Highlighting ABAD’s expertise, he said that its engineers were capable of giving proper input on light weight construction materials.

A similar reply came from the former chairman of ABAD, Babar Mirza Chughtai, who said builders had not yet been assigned any role in the reconstruction activities. “ABAD’s input must be sought but we (Abad) are not included in any of the committees,” he says.

Karachi Iron and Steel Merchants Association’s senior vice-president Shamoon Baqar Ali said the government had not contacted them about its iron and steel requirement in the reconstruction phase.

He, however, said the demand of iron and steel products was expected to rise by 15-20 per cent. He said demand of galvanised sheet had already started rising and it was estimated to rise by 200,000 tonens from the current annual consumption of 800,000-900,000 tonnes.

Terming the government’s move to allow the import of mild steel structures from India unfairm he said that it would hit the local industry. However, he said that the allowing of importing corrugated galvanised sheets from India by land route for one month through prior permission from relief commissioner was a good short-term decision. — ASK