Founded in 1988 and formally registered in 1990 under the Societies Registration Act XXI of 1860, Citizens for a Better Environment (Shehri-CBE) is a Karachi-based, non-political, not-for-profit organization dedicated to creating a transparent, inclusive, and sustainable urban environment in Pakistan.
Shehri-CBE was established by a group of concerned citizens, who wanted to give the public a voice in shaping their cities. Its founding members include Architect Navaid Husain, Barrister Qazi Faez Isa, Interior Designer (late) Danish Azar Zuby, Economist Dr. Kaiser Bengali, Architect Humaira Rehman, Barrister Zain Shaikh, and Economist Khalid Nadvi. United by a shared concern over environmental degradation and unplanned urban development, they sought to build a platform for citizen engagement and city improvement.
Shehri-CBE’s vision is to empower citizens to actively shape their cities. Its mission is to promote a built environment that is managed transparently and inclusively, ensuring that public interest remains central to development decisions.
Areas of Work:
- Urban Land Management and Zoning
- Environmental Conservation
- Right to Information & Transparency
- Human Rights and Gender Inclusion
- Civic Education and Youth Engagement
- Community Policing and Police Reform
- Public Interest Litigation
- Institutional and Local Governance Reform
Shehri-CBE played a key role in drafting and supporting the Sindh Transparency and Right to Information Act, 2016, and consistently works with marginalized communities,
particularly women and religious minorities. Using research, policy engagement, and community initiatives, Shehri-CBE collaborates with government officials, academics, media, and civil society to address complex urban challenges and improve life in Karachi and other cities in Sindh.
Current Work:
- Million Trees Campaign: Launched in response to the 2015 Karachi heatwave, this project restores urban green cover by planting indigenous and fruit-bearing trees in schools, hospitals, parks, and along roadsides. It aims to reduce heat islands, improve air quality, and encourage communities to care for public spaces.
- Youth Empowerment for Engaged Citizenship: This program trains university students in Karachi on governance, civic rights, and democratic participation. Through workshops, internships, and social action projects, young people gain the tools to become active, informed citizens.
These initiatives reflect Shehri-CBE’s commitment to addressing environmental challenges and civic disengagement through inclusive, community-driven solutions.
