OUR cities are rapidly expanding without proper planning, leading to significant challenges that demand urgent attention. A report by the Asian Development Bank (ADB) has raised alarms about the rising costs of providing essential services to people as urban sprawl continues unchecked.

The ADB report has recommended that Pakistan sould devise short-, medium- and long-term plans to manage this growth effectively, with each megacity requiring a master plan and proper zoning to make land use efficient.

Once the steps are taken to effectively manage the issue, local governments that successfully implement these plans should be rewarded, while penalties should be imposed on those that fail.

As such, the concept of controlling urban expansion is not new. Even religious teachings suggest that it is advisable to establish new cities nearby instead of expanding the existing ones when populations grow.

Had this approach been followed in its true spirit, many current issues, such as revenue collection problems, could have been avoided.

It is time the authorities at all levels acted on these recommendations, ensuring that laws and plans are implemented with integrity and free from the influence of powerful interests. Allocations and benefits should be distributed fairly and responsibly, not recklessly.

Ahsanul Haq Shaikh
Chunian

Published in Dawn, December 4th, 2024