Pakistan Approves Green Building and Rainwater Codes for Sustainable Construction
Islamabad – July 27, 2025: In a significant stride toward sustainable infrastructure, Pakistan’s Cabinet Committee for Legislative Cases (CCLC) has approved the National Green Building and Rainwater Harvesting Codes, setting new environmental and construction benchmarks for multi-storey buildings.
The committee meeting, chaired by Federal Law Minister Azam Nazeer Tarar, reviewed the proposals presented by the Secretary of Science and Technology and the Registrar of the Pakistan Engineering Council (PEC)—the lead institution responsible for drafting the standards.
These national codes are designed to enhance energy efficiency, water conservation, and environmental responsibility in buildings with four or more floors. The initiative marks a milestone in aligning Pakistan’s urban planning with global climate and sustainability goals.
Green Building Code:
This set of regulations focuses on:
Reducing energy consumption
Enhancing insulation and natural lighting
Promoting eco-friendly construction materials
Preserving local biodiversity
Rainwater Harvesting Code:
Applicable to residential, commercial, and industrial structures, the code mandates:
Installation of rainwater collection and filtration systems
On-site water reuse solutions
Reduced reliance on municipal water supplies
These measures support the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) and are expected to alleviate Pakistan’s growing water crisis, particularly in urban areas.
In addition, the committee approved amendments to the Building Bylaws of 1986 and 1987, incorporating the new standards under Section 25(1) of the PEC Act, 1976.
The approved codes will now be forwarded to the Federal Cabinet for final ratification. Once enacted, they will be implemented nationwide, transforming Pakistan’s construction sector by embedding sustainability into architectural legislation.
