ARCHI TIMES Interview | Photographs by Engineer
Muhammad Younus Lakhani is one of Karachi’s respected real estate developers, He has built his career on vision, perseverance, and an unwavering commitment to quality. A Civil Engineering graduate from NED University of Engineering & Technology, he began his professional journey in 1988 and later established his own construction business. The decision led to the founding of Lakhani Builders and the launch of its first project, Lakhani Heights, in 1994.
Over the past three decades, Lakhani Builders has developed several landmark residential projects. Beyond his professional achievements, Mr. Lakhani is a respected industry leader, an active member of the engineering community, and a philanthropist. In this exclusive conversation, he reflects on his remarkable journey, the future of Pakistan’s construction industry, the importance of sustainable development, and the values of integrity, hard work, and faith that have shaped both his career and his life.
BEFORE WE BEGIN, COULD YOU TELL US ABOUT YOUR EARLY LIFE AND EDUCATIONAL BACKGROUND?
MUHAMMAD YOUNUS LAKHANI (MYL): My name is Younus Lakhani. I was born in a little city Tando Adam in Sindh and completed my matriculation from there in 1977. When my elder brother came to Karachi and witnessing the magic of this city of lights, he urged me to also move to the shining city. Hence, in 1976 my family shifted to Karachi. I then completed my intermediate education from Delhi College and got admission in Civil Engineering in NED University in 1982.When I graduated in 1987, I started my job at a builder’s company, they were constructing a building in North Nazimabad. Although I belong to a business family background and our financial situation at that time was not bad but it was still a big dream in comparison to become a builder. Also, because generally at that time the concept was to just get a job, government car with a flag but in my vision, it was crystal clear to me that I want to become a builder.
Now I do limited but research-based work and try to give full attention to one project at a time. I always ask my family and engage them in the design and planning to get the insight from them as well as the allottees. For example, A lady who has to spend the whole day at home, who is a home maker, her requirement is different from an un married male who lives alone, this is the practical feedback that helps us and becomes our driving force. We develop our brief of the project based on that feedback.
WHAT INSPIRED YOU TO PURSUE A CAREER IN ENGINEERING WITH A FOCUS ON CIVIL ENGINEERING?
MYL: At the time of my admission in NED University in 1982, there were only three departments to choose from and one of them was Civil Engineering. It was more like that civil engineering chose me. Also, I feel God had a bigger plan for me in store and I am grateful for it.
HAVE YOU WORKED ANYWHERE BEFORE STARTING YOUR CONSTRUCTION BUSINESS?
MYL: I did one job before forming Lakhani Builders. I graduated in the December of 1987, got the degree in January 1988 and started job in that month only. RAO heights was a project in North Nazimabad and I worked with the owner of that project and Alhamdullilah it taught me a lot.
WHAT IS THE SUCCESS STORY OF LAKHANI BUILDERS?
MYL: My initial salary was 2000 rupees. I was happy with that because at that time it was still a hefty salary for a fresh graduate. NED polished me but the practical aspect was missing, I have to thank my supervisor at that time Bismillah Khan, a man with a lot of experience and kindness, he taught me practicalities and responsibilities of the field. I started off as a civil engineer in that company and after 2 and a half years I was the General Manager which widened my scope of experience be it the interactions I was having with different people whether they were allottees, technical people, site management, etc. It gave me a lot of confidence because I had become an all-rounder. At the salary of seven thousand five hundred, enjoying singlehood, maintaining a small car, I had no liability at that point. It took me three months to decide whether I should quit this fixed amount and take the risk of contracting or not. Bismillah Khan, advised me to go with it and keep faith in God. It so happens that one word of someone can change the whole course of your life. From there, the story of Lakhani Builders began.
The projection and character of a builder is huge in our society and for me, a builder doesn’t only generate wealth but also receive prayers through buildings so it’s a noble work and it is not everyone’s cup of tea. You have to become a labor with the labor in this industry otherwise you cannot succeed. Also, once I entered the construction industry, my circle included other builders who also wanted to grow so the surrounding also matters, who you surround yourself with. I feel when Allah wants something to happen through you, he generates a new environment around you for that task to happen.
I came from a small city to this huge city full of lights and opportunities. When I left my job, I had savings of sixty-five thousand rupees from that job. From that amount I started contracting. And that sixty-five thousand became thirteen lacs in three years through contracting from which I bought land for my first project. Giving up was never an option for me, I was and am an optimistic person. From witnessing the M.A. Jinnah Road being washed to travelling in buses and rikshaws, I have seen that Karachi which gave me the life that I have now. Our success story revolves around taking leap of faith, accepting responsibility and facing challenges head on keeping a positive mindset and doing our part in making lives of people better in every way that we can.
In 1994, our first project was delivered and Allah made me a father of a daughter as well. I have three daughters and they are extremely lucky for me as well as my wife. My Rizq and success increased with each daughter. When I think about my story and talk to myself about it, I am not able to understand till date how things fell into place. I feel it is all Allah’s blessings and I never wish to take credit that I have done anything or everything. There were a lot of topper students in my batch who were more intelligent or hardworking than me but as they say, if Allah chooses you for something it is meant to be you only. Only Allah knows what is best for us and He has his own amazing miraculous ways of balancing everything. Once you understand that, you achieve inner peace. I am eternally grateful.
TELL US WHICH PROJECTS LAKHANI BUILDERS HAVE COMPLETED? (PLEASE SHARE NAME & PHOTOS OF BUILDING PROJECTS).
MYL: Our first project was ‘Lakhani Heights’. Then we delivered ‘Lakhani Pride’, ‘Lakhani Excellency’. Then we completed our landmark project ‘Lakhani Presidency’ where for the first time we introduced a landscape project concept. The project was announced in 2006 and within a day all the units were sold out. That was a wakeup call for us that I well thought out and research-based project where needs of the people are being catered to with a concept, is welcomed with open arms.
I remember visiting a friend’s residence to attend a funeral and as I entered, I felt the lifelessness and silent echoes, there was no energy in the house. I want buildings to emit life and joy and peace and forge human connections that we as a society have forgotten Unfortunately, people are living in isolation even if they live in the same house. On my way back I decided to design an apartment which gives the feeling of a bungalow. People living in bungalows have a different psyche. They want air, ventilation, sunlight, lawn, roof tops, they don’t want to live in a box with restricted movement. After two and a half years of design development, we have finally achieved our desired result in the form of ‘Lakhani Sky Home’. Spanning four towers, it is a socially interactive gated community that feels like a bungalow with duplex units. We are introducing the first fully insulated building with air quality control system, with drinking water available 24/7 in tap! A feat achieved for the first time in Karachi. There is a jungle within the premises with a private beach and an international gymkhana on the 24th and 25th floor. We have Kids play areas, two club houses, squash courts, spas, water bodies and much more. Now, if you want to spend a day at a resort with, you don’t have to go outside, everything is available in our project.
For the first time, resident byelaws are introduced in detail. It has computerized controlled system and 240 CCTV cameras. Each and every member of the facility is registered with face recognition. The triad of a building’s lifecycle involves the builder (developer), the owner association (society/residents), and the facility management (operations team). These three groups interact smoothly during design, construction, handover, and daily use to keep the property safe and valuable.
HOW DO YOU PREFER TO STAY UP-TO-DATE WITH EMERGING TRENDS AND NEW TECHNOLOGIES IN CONSTRUCTION?
MYL: I attend exhibitions, do my research. The Big 5 in Dubai, is a great exhibition to explore new innovative ideas about materials and technology. I love to travel myself as well, so I observe what’s is happening around the world. I am always interested in surveys and market analysis, understanding the psychology of people, how we can evolve our projects and make them better.
WHAT ARE SOME CHALLENGES AND DIFFICULTIES THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IS FACING TODAY?
MYL: When I think about the amount of time I have utilized or work and the amount of time I have wasted, it is clear to me that the time wasted was because of lack of consistency in government policies. I would urge the government to make policies applicable for at least a period of ten years so that the change of government doesn’t affect those policies. Otherwise, it will increase the number of Katchi Abadi in Karachi. If the government makes low-cost housing a part of the master plan like what happened in Mumbai and Dhaka, it will help in increasing the quality of life of people.
WHAT IS THE FUTURE OF THE CONSTRUCTION INDUSTRY IN PAKISTAN?
MYL: As long as the world exists, construction will exist. It is as simple as that. For some, it can be self-indulgence. But for a large percentage, a home, or roof over the head is the bare minimum that everyone deserves. The future of construction industry is bright in Pakistan because we have need of 14 million houses, now imagine if we make the right consistent policies, not only we can give homes to our people but also support the economy of the country. The overseas Pakistanis can do so much for the country but they are not catered to properly. All that is needed is intention.
TELL US ABOUT TECHNOLOGY TRENDS AND CHALLENGES FOR REAL PROPERTY OWNERS.
MYL: If a man wants to build his house on a 120 sq.yds land, he goes through the entire process of construction and documentation and vows to never take construction in his hands again. It is that difficult for real property owners. The contractors have no qualifications; engineers not registered with PEC are working and the list goes on. We have talented skilled people but they are not used in the right direction.
HOW IMPORTANT IS INNOVATION AND SUSTAINABILITY IN CONSTRUCTION? ARE YOU INCORPORATING THESE IN YOUR PROJECTS?
MYL: We have always worked on innovation and sustainability in all our projects. We are working on water harvesting, air quality, insulated buildings, incorporating vertical gardens, combining landscape and construction in our new project ‘Lakhani Sky home’. We do research on global warming, environment control and strive to do better with each project.
ARE YOU INCORPORATING MODERN METHODS OF CONSTRUCTION AND THE FUTURE OF THE BUILT ENVIRONMENT IN YOUR PROJECTS?
MYL: We are studying and introducing upgraded high-tech machinery in our projects. A lot of chemicals that are used in construction, we are upgrading and using them in the right direction. We are studying insect free environment to incorporate those methods in our projects.
HOW CAN DEVELOPERS TACKLE CHALLENGES LIKE OVERSUPPLY AND LOW DEMAND IN THE REAL ESTATE MARKET?
MYL: Housing is not a luxury; it’s a basic need of a citizen and government should seriously look into this. Government has no data as to what are the number of homeless people in Karachi or those living in slums. I would request the government to collaborate with our association of Builders and Developers ‘Abad’. We can resolve this issue and give our people the quality of life they deserve. We also deserve to have Parks, Schools, Hospitals and a quality of life that every human, every child deserves and that is possible with government collaborating with builders like us.
WHAT’S THE SINGLE BIGGEST LESSON YOU’VE LEARNED ABOUT YOUR EXPERIENCE THAT YOU’D LIKE TO PASS ON TO OTHER CEOS/ BUILDERS?
MYL: Allah has blessed us with this land and country and I have travelled around the world but there is nowhere like Pakistan. We are born here and attached to this land. The kind of opportunities this country has given me, I am always grateful for them. Now, it is our duty to give it back to our land and serve it. The CEOs or the builders should see long term and devise strategies accordingly. The trajectory of our lives might be different but we can at least learn from our experiences and share them with the new generation and equip them with tools to take them forward in life. Our skilled labors are working internationally, our doctors and engineering are doing marvels internationally, so why not utilize them here. The world has reached next level and we are still stuck in electricity and gas.
WHAT DO YOU DO IN YOUR FREE TIME, ALSO TELL US ABOUT YOUR HOBBIES?
MYL: I love to spend time with my family. I do spend some alone time as well to relax myself and prepare for the new day. I also believe all the creative ideas come to me after the fajr prayer time. It is such a blessed window of time. I would advise everyone to at least try it once in life and talk to Allah at that time. Whatever happens in future will be the best as decided by God.
WHAT IS YOUR ADVICE TO THE YOUNGER GENERATION?
MYL: What I have understood from my life is one; do you work with utmost honesty and believe in Allah. Two, hard work is important. Whether you do a job or your own business or work, do it with these two principles. Do you work with Integrity, combine it with hard work, I can guarantee you that success and abundance will find you. At times, we are trying to find it in one direction. Trust the process. It is okay! Keep your belief and faith in Allah, make sure He is your friend, you do your work and let Him do His work and you will be surprised how He aligns everything for you. May be the result will come from another direction, accept it, be thankful for it. The ‘How’ is not your job, doing the work with honesty and giving your hundred percent is your job, rest assured Allah will make things happen for you. The young generation should inculcate this belief system in life.
