KMC launches drive against illegal constructions
According to a formal notification, issued by the office of the senior director katchi abadis, the department has raised serious concerns over the increasing number of multi-storey buildings being constructed without approved building plans from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). These constructions are illegal, violate existing by-laws and pose significant threats to public safety.
It was clarified that the Katchi Abadis Department only regularizes possession of land as per the approved Lay-Out Plan (LOP), while the authority to approve building plans rests solely with SBCA.
This action is aligned with the Sindh government's policy to ensure a uniform crackdown on illegal constructions and dangerous buildings to prevent any untoward incident.
The official communication has also been forwarded to the Commissioner Karachi, chairman Provincial Disaster Management Authority, secretary to mayor, and other key stakeholders for necessary action and follow-up.
Employee 'commits suicide'
A 50-year-old man committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Old Golimar. The deceased, identified as Muhammad Afzal, was a Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) employee.
The deceased's body was shifted to Civil Hospital after it was found with a rope tied around the neck. Family members revealed that the deceased was a father to a son and four daughters, and was struggling with drug addiction. They stated that he, reportedly, went to the rooftop and committed suicide by hanging himself.
The family refused to lodge any police complaint, and after legal formalities, took custody of the deceased's body. Further investigations into the incident are ongoing.
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Eight SBCA officers get bail in building collapse case
Listen to article An Additional District and Sessions Judge (South) has approved the bail applications for eight officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) who were arrested following the tragic incident of building collapse in Lyari's Baghdadi area. Each officer has been ordered to submit a surety bond of Rs1 million. During the hearing, the court questioned the duration of posting of the accused and their specific roles. Defence lawyer Shahab Sarki Advocate contended that the accused had no direct involvement in the collapse, and their official postings were not explicitly linked to the case. He noted that the building, constructed in 1986, had not obtained NOC at the time of its construction. When the court inquired if the building was constructed illegally. The defence confirmed that the SBCA had no records of it. The court then asked whether any notice had been issued declaring the building as dangerous. The lawyer replied that no such notice was issued, nor was the building officially declared hazardous. "Then whose negligence is this?" the court pressed. Sarki responded by questioning how an illegally constructed building was provided with essential utility connections like electricity, gas, and water. He attributed negligence to various committees, including the demolition committee (headed by the deputy commissioner, with members like the SSP and assistant commissioner), another committee involving the SBCA director general, Mukhtiarkar, and other officers, and the supervision committee (chaired by the commissioner, with the additional IG and other members). Sarki also pointed out that in 2024, the SBCA had declared 722 buildings dangerous and advised evacuation, raising the question of why K-Electric provided utility connections to the building in question. The prosecutor asserted that the inquiry report clearly identified the roles of the accused. However, when the court asked if the accused were specifically named in the inquiry, the defence stated they had not received the report and that the building was not specifically mentioned within it. According to the report, accused officer Zargham Haider served for four months, Ashfaq Khokhar for a total of nine months over two tenures, and Faheem Murtaza for only two months in 2024. Another defence lawyer, Mustafa Advocate, added that Irfan Haider served for only one month. He asked for a thorough investigation. The defence further highlighted that Lyari is a sensitive area and the SBCA lacks a proper enforcement force. He pointed out that this is an inquiry case with no charge sheet (challan) presented yet, advocating for the formation of a Joint Investigation Team (JIT). The court also observed that the sections applied in the case appeared weak and reiterated that it is the state's responsibility to compensate the victims. 21 SBCA officers served final show cause notices Director General (DG) of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has issued final show-cause notices to 21 SBCA officers in Central District, directing them to submit their replies within a week. In January 2025, these officers were initially served show-cause notices over allegations of collusion with the builder mafia, but no action had been taken so far. Following the SBCA DG Shahmeer Khan Bhutto directive, the inquiry has now been reactivated after a six-month Shahmeer has initiated strict departmental proceedings against government officers and officials facilitating illegal constructions in Karachi. The officers facing disciplinary action include assistant directors Shiraz Nazir, Jangi Khan Magsi, Asad Khan, Murtaza Tunio, Dileep Kumar, Majid Ali Magsi, Syed Muzammil Hussain and Fayaz Hussain Mehr. Also named are Deputy Director Aftab Ahmed Soomro, Inspectors Abid Ali Bhutto, Shahid Hussain Jokhio, Aamirul Hasan, Aurangzeb Khan, Taufiq Ansari, and Syed Javed Qadeer, along with several other officials. According to sources, these officers allegedly played a direct role in enabling unauthorized constructions across Central District. Earlier this year, they were ordered to take action against illegal structures but reportedly failed to comply with the directives. Insiders further revealed that the SBCA is preparing a separate list of officers allegedly involved in similar illegal activities in Karachi's East District.
Express Tribune
3 days ago
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KMC launches drive against illegal constructions
The Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has launched drive against illegal and unauthorised constructions, particularly high-rise buildings, within katchi abadis falling under its jurisdiction. According to a formal notification, issued by the office of the senior director katchi abadis, the department has raised serious concerns over the increasing number of multi-storey buildings being constructed without approved building plans from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). These constructions are illegal, violate existing by-laws and pose significant threats to public safety. It was clarified that the Katchi Abadis Department only regularizes possession of land as per the approved Lay-Out Plan (LOP), while the authority to approve building plans rests solely with SBCA. This action is aligned with the Sindh government's policy to ensure a uniform crackdown on illegal constructions and dangerous buildings to prevent any untoward incident. The official communication has also been forwarded to the Commissioner Karachi, chairman Provincial Disaster Management Authority, secretary to mayor, and other key stakeholders for necessary action and follow-up. Employee 'commits suicide' A 50-year-old man committed suicide by hanging himself at his residence in Old Golimar. The deceased, identified as Muhammad Afzal, was a Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) employee. The deceased's body was shifted to Civil Hospital after it was found with a rope tied around the neck. Family members revealed that the deceased was a father to a son and four daughters, and was struggling with drug addiction. They stated that he, reportedly, went to the rooftop and committed suicide by hanging himself. The family refused to lodge any police complaint, and after legal formalities, took custody of the deceased's body. Further investigations into the incident are ongoing.
Express Tribune
14-07-2025
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10 SBCA officials sent to jail in collapse case
Judicial Magistrate South Kulsoom Sehato heard the case of Lyari building collapse and sent 10 accused, including senior officers of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) on judicial remand to jail. Police had produced the suspects before the magistrate following the completion of their physical remand. The suspects include Syed Irfan Haider Naqvi, Ashfaq Hussain, Mohammad Jalees Siddiqui, Syed Faheem Murtaza, Asim Ali Khan, Faheem Ahmed, Syed Zulfiqar Ali Shah, Raheem Hussain Shah, Taj Mohammad and SBCA's additional director general Zargham Haider. According to the investigating officer (IO), the official records of the collapsed building could not be recovered, and further custody of the accused was required to obtain the documents. However, the court dismissed this request, ruling that the investigation could continue without extending their physical remand. Defence lawyer Zeeshan Rajpar argued, there was no prior complaint about the dangerous condition of the building. Another defence counsel, Javed Chhattari stated that the responsibility to provide building records rests with the section officer, who has become the complainant in this case rather than any affected individual. The court rejected the IO's request for further remand and ordered to send all the accused to jail, stressing that law enforcement can proceed with record recovery through the section officer without needing to keep the suspects in custody. Rehabilitation of Lyari tragedy victims on cards: Ghani Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has assured that the government will extend all possible support to the victims of the Lyari building collapse and is taking comprehensive steps for their rehabilitation. He added that a committee, formed for long-term rehabilitation, will soon finalise a plan to provide permanent housing for the victims. "A dedicated desk has been established at the Town Office to facilitate their rehabilitation," he said. He said that the government is providing immediate financial assistance of Rs1 million each to the families of people who lost their lives in the incident, while the affected families are being paid three months' rent as interim relief so they can arrange alternative housing. "Strict action will be taken against those found responsible for this tragedy," he stated. The minister on Monday met the affected families and offered condolence to them for the loss of precious lives in the tragic incident.
