Building on MA Jinnah Road begins to sink, lives at risk
The building, situated on Plot No MC-4 and MC-7 in Sector 1 of the Lines Area Project, was constructed in 1986-87. Over the years, rainwater has accumulated in its basement like a stagnant pool, severely compromising the structural integrity of the entire building.
Despite never being fully occupied, the building has been periodically painted and advertised for residential sale. According to KDA officials, flats have been marketed to unsuspecting citizens even though the structure has long been unfit for habitation.On July 25, 2024, KDA Lines Area Project authorities had formally written to the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), warning that the building was not safe for occupancy and requesting its immediate demolition. The letter also urged authorities to consider declaring the structure a "heritage building" in order to ensure proper preservation or removal in a responsible manner.
Sources say that SBCA only issued routine responses to the letter, and no practical action has been taken so far. Now, with the building reportedly beginning to sink into the ground, the threat has grown significantly.
On July 24, 2025, the KDA Lines Area Project's Deputy Director (C\&S) issued a new letter to the SBCA Secretary for Dangerous Buildings, reiterating the urgency of declaring the structure officially hazardous and demolishing it immediately.
KDA officials have warned that any further delay could result in a major tragedy and loss of life if the building collapses.
Following the tragic building collapse in Lyarri that claimed 27 lives, SBCA has intensified its drive to vacate and seal dangerously dilapidated buildings across the city. A committee of expert structural engineers has been conducting ongoing surveys to identify and assess high-risk structures.
According to the committee's reports on District South, a total of 59 buildings have been declared extremely dangerous — including 10 heritage buildings. These structures are located in densely populated old city areas such as Arambagh, Lawrence Quarters, Napier Quarters, Saddar Bazaar, Telu Ram Quarters, and Old Town.
In the first phase of the operation, 41 of these buildings have already been vacated and sealed in order to protect human lives. The process of evacuating residents from the remaining buildings is ongoing, with assistance from local authorities. In the next phase, steps will be taken to initiate demolition procedures for these unsafe structures.
The SBCA has urged citizens to report any buildings — internally or externally damaged, structurally weak, or visibly deteriorating — particularly in older, congested neighborhoods. Citizens can report such buildings at any time via the SBCA online portal.
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Express Tribune
27-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Building on MA Jinnah Road begins to sink, lives at risk
The Karachi Development Authority (KDA) has once again raised alarm over a dangerously dilapidated multi-storey building located on the central MA Jinnah Road, warning that it has begun to sink and could collapse at any moment, posing a serious threat to human lives. The building, situated on Plot No MC-4 and MC-7 in Sector 1 of the Lines Area Project, was constructed in 1986-87. Over the years, rainwater has accumulated in its basement like a stagnant pool, severely compromising the structural integrity of the entire building. Despite never being fully occupied, the building has been periodically painted and advertised for residential sale. According to KDA officials, flats have been marketed to unsuspecting citizens even though the structure has long been unfit for July 25, 2024, KDA Lines Area Project authorities had formally written to the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), warning that the building was not safe for occupancy and requesting its immediate demolition. The letter also urged authorities to consider declaring the structure a "heritage building" in order to ensure proper preservation or removal in a responsible manner. Sources say that SBCA only issued routine responses to the letter, and no practical action has been taken so far. Now, with the building reportedly beginning to sink into the ground, the threat has grown significantly. On July 24, 2025, the KDA Lines Area Project's Deputy Director (C\&S) issued a new letter to the SBCA Secretary for Dangerous Buildings, reiterating the urgency of declaring the structure officially hazardous and demolishing it immediately. KDA officials have warned that any further delay could result in a major tragedy and loss of life if the building collapses. Following the tragic building collapse in Lyarri that claimed 27 lives, SBCA has intensified its drive to vacate and seal dangerously dilapidated buildings across the city. A committee of expert structural engineers has been conducting ongoing surveys to identify and assess high-risk structures. According to the committee's reports on District South, a total of 59 buildings have been declared extremely dangerous — including 10 heritage buildings. These structures are located in densely populated old city areas such as Arambagh, Lawrence Quarters, Napier Quarters, Saddar Bazaar, Telu Ram Quarters, and Old Town. In the first phase of the operation, 41 of these buildings have already been vacated and sealed in order to protect human lives. The process of evacuating residents from the remaining buildings is ongoing, with assistance from local authorities. In the next phase, steps will be taken to initiate demolition procedures for these unsafe structures. The SBCA has urged citizens to report any buildings — internally or externally damaged, structurally weak, or visibly deteriorating — particularly in older, congested neighborhoods. Citizens can report such buildings at any time via the SBCA online portal.
Express Tribune
06-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Death toll rises to 27 in Lyari building collapse, rescue efforts ongoing
Rescuers scramble through rubble after a multi-storey residential building crumbles in Karachi, raising fresh questions over construction standards. PHOTO: JALAL QURESHI/EXPRESS Listen to article A five-storey structurally unstable building in Baghdad Colony, Lyari, collapsed more than 48 hours ago, leaving at least 27 people dead, officials said on Sunday. Dr Sabir Memon, Executive Director of Benazir Bhutto Trauma Center, confirmed the death toll. One injured person remains under treatment at the hospital. According to Rescue 1122 officials, the deceased include nine women, 15 men, a 10-year-old boy, and an 18-month-old girl identified as Muqaddas. Another deceased was identified as Shoaib by family members. Many of the deceased belong to the Hindu community. As more debris was cleared, more deceased were retrieved from under the rubble. Rescue teams, assisted by scanning equipment, are continuing efforts to locate more survivors or deceased. During the operation, cash, cheques and jewellery were recovered from three separate locations and handed over to the local union council chairperson. The Edhi Foundation confirmed that the deceased have been transferred to the cold storage facility at Lyari Musa Lane. South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khosa told The Express Tribune that operations are being carried out with utmost care to avoid endangering anyone trapped alive. He noted that the densely populated area has made rescue work difficult. But the teams are equipped with advanced technology, he added. Rescue workers have employed sniffer dogs and heavy machinery as they search the rubble. Resident volunteers along with the police are assisting in the search operation. Read: Most Lyari building collapse victims belong to Hindu community Structural damage Another seven-storey residential building in Lyari's Agra Taj Colony was evacuated late Saturday night after a joint operation by the district administration, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the police. The building was declared dangerous after signs of structural leaning were identified. Severe cracks had appeared in the structure after the recent monsoon spell. Read more: Hope fades as Lyari building collapse toll hits 23 An inspection by SBCA engineers declared the building uninhabitable, prompting emergency evacuation. The residents resisted at first but agreed to leave after successful negotiations. According to South Deputy Commissioner, the building housed 12 flats with 57 residents from 11 families. The building has now been sealed, its power supply has been disconnected and the water tank has been demolished to prevent further danger. 'Unfit for living' Speaking to Express News, Lyari Municipal Officer Hammad ND Khan said that the Sindh government has decided to evacuate all hazardous buildings in Lyari. He said that a formal operation will be decided on Monday during a meeting chaired by the Sindh chief minister. It is expected that all dangerous buildings will be evacuated in phases and demolished. He added that the provincial government will develop a policy to provide alternative housing for the residents of these unsafe structures. Arrangements for temporary accommodation have been made in community centres and hotels for the victims of the collapsed and evacuated buildings, he said. However, most of the affected residents have chosen to stay with their relatives or on-site, he said, adding that TMC Lyari is providing food and other necessities for them. According to Khan, the rescue operation is likely to be end on Sunday. Legal action will be taken under the law against all those involved in illegal constructions in Lyari, he said. One affected woman said the temporary shelter at a KMC school in Lyari was "unfit for living". Demanding accountability for endangered lives, affected residents have accused SBCA officials of accepting bribes, both during and after the building's construction, and ignoring clear violations. After the evacuation, SBCA registered a case at Kalri Police Station against the builder and an unnamed contractor. The FIR states that substandard materials and illegal construction methods were used, putting residents' lives at serious risk, thereby necessitating the sealing of the building. The deputy commissioner said that if any government officials are found complicit in the building's construction, legal action will also be taken against them. He added that residents will be supported in recovering their financial losses from the builder.
Express Tribune
05-07-2025
- Express Tribune
Heritage house razed amid official apathy
A pre-partition structure of a residential house is being quickly razed to clear land for construction of a new structure. The situation is unfolding in the thickly inhabited Nahiyan Jo Pirh locality in downtown City taluka of Hyderabad without authorities standing aloof to the occurrence. The Antiquities and Archaeology Department, however, has fulfilled its responsibility by fixing a notice on the building to stop the demolition, referring to it as a heritage structure. That notice, affixed on July 4, failed to stop the ongoing knocking down activity which has already flattened a large part of the structure. The once magnificently standing double-storey house spread to around 500 square yards. It carried a sense of legacy which is preserved and even celebrated in the civilised world. Its symmetry and proportions reflected a sense of balance that was common in historical architectures. Razed veranda of the house was once surrounded by arched columns leading to the hallways and rooms. The cobalt blue tiles atop the exterior walls still bewitch the people who can now easily see what's inside the building because its elevation has been teared down a great deal. The moulding work with spiral shaped round yet lean pillars atop composite ornaments on either sides of the entrance gate added to the splendour of the building. The house is located in a densely populated area accessible through narrow streets where driving a car during the day time is drivers' nightmare. Ideally, the government should have banned construction of multi-storeyed structures in such urban rabbit warrens. However, apathy is writ large. Meanwhile, the department's notice which actually happens to be a letter addressed to Regional Director SBCA states, "this structure is of high architectural value and bears significant historical and cultural importance". The letter cited the Sindh Cultural Heritage Property Rules, 2017, to halt the demolition. "It is, therefore, requested that demolition currently underway on the subject plot may kindly be halted immediately," reads the letter. The official also asked the SBCA to suspend if any permission was granted to raze the building until the department's technical committee further reviewed the case. The house, according to the letter, is located on the City Survey Number 2056 in Nahiyan Jo Pirh area on Khae road. The letter has been copied to Commissioner Hyderabad division, Assistant Commissioner City taluka and the house's owner. The focal person of Hyderabad Heritage Buildings was directed to fix the letter on a conspicuous place over the property.
