Muhammad Saleem

The Faisalabad Development Authority (FDA) has rolled out a digital property system for instant issuance of ownership clearance certificates after online verification and fee submission, sparing the applicants the hassle of running from pillar to post.

Talking to WealthPK, Director General of FDA Muhammad Asif Chaudhry said the system was up and running across all 17 regulated residential areas. He said the digitized real estate system would boost business activity and strengthen the confidence of both builders and buyers. Chaudhry said the Authority was preparing to expand the digitization drive to provide fast and efficient public services. The initiative is part of a wider push to digitize records and streamline service delivery through modern reforms.

He noted that efforts were being made to minimize delays and provide relief to the applicants through technology-driven reforms. “The FDA is ahead of the curve in Punjab when it comes to implementing real-time solutions, and this facility will benefit the property business,” Chaudhry said.

He said the Authority now plans real-time issuance of town planning reports, and the groundwork in this regard is already in full swing. The IT department has been directed to ensure that no hiccups occur during the transition to this updated system. These initiatives will enable the property owners to obtain certificates online, anytime and from anywhere, without having to step out of their comfort zone, the DG remarked.

 Javed Ahmed, a real estate developer, told WealthPK that Faisalabad’s real estate needs digital transformation. “With each passing day, technology is changing the way we operate, but unfortunately, we are still not ready to understand or accept it. If we learn to understand technology, we can take our businesses to the next level,” he added.

“Traditional methods, or outdated ways of doing things, will no longer work in the future business world. Technology is now replacing human efforts. The tasks that used to take people hours to complete are now being done quickly with the help of technology,” he explained.

 “In the real estate sector as well, technology can help reduce the risk of fraud and enhance the documentation process. But it is necessary that those in government implement these systems in the right way. The sooner we understand the importance of technology, the sooner we’ll be able to upgrade our businesses,” he said.

 Javed urged the FDA officials to ensure that the technology being introduced for the real estate sector is inclusive, user-friendly, and transparent. This technology should promote trust, support proper planning, and open doors for safe investment, he emphasized. If implemented wisely, Faisalabad could set an example for the rest of Pakistan, he added.

 Although the real estate market is currently facing a slump, the city continues to expand in an unplanned and haphazard manner, as unauthorized settlements have emerged without any oversight, he noted. However, he hoped the new system would provide the public with real-time data.

“Through this system, people will be able to identify where legal development is taking place and where regulations are being violated. It can help restore order and balance the urban growth,” he said.

Credit: INP-WealthPk