Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani has announced that committees have been formed at the district level to re-survey 740 buildings declared dangerous across Karachi and the rest of the province.
These committees include not only government officials but also representatives from private institutions. Speaking to the media on Thursday after visiting the site of a tragic incident in Lyari’s Khadda Market where the roof of a six-storey building collapsed, the minister said that initial reports suggested that the homeowner was carrying out repair work on the roof, which resulted in increased load and subsequent collapse. Two women lost their lives while three others were injured.
The minister was accompanied by MPA Yousuf Baloch, Lyari Town Chairman Nasir Kareem, South Deputy Commissioner Javed Latif Khoso, Karachi Pakistan Peoples Party (PPP) General Secretary and South District President Javed Nagori, PPP Labour Bureau President Aslam Samo, Peoples Youth South President Fazal Baloch and Lyari Municipal Commissioner Hammad ND Khan among others.
Ghani gathered information from the affected residents and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), and instructed authorities to immediately shift displaced residents to nearby community halls, marquees, public halls or residential hotels.
Terming the incident deeply unfortunate, Ghani said that although the building was 40 to 50 years old, it was not on the official list of dangerous structures. He noted that the repair work being carried out by the resident likely led to the roof’s collapse. “This is a matter of serious concern for us,” he added.
Ghani emphasised that the Sindh chief minister, chief secretary and he had been making efforts on a daily basis to rehabilitate those affected by dangerous buildings. He explained that on the chief minister’s directive, a list of unsafe buildings was being reviewed as complaints had been received that some properties had been classified as dangerous buildings that could be made habitable after repairs.
He suspected personal interests may be influencing some such classifications. “To ensure transparency, we have formed district-level committees comprising both government officials and private sector representatives,” he said. “Earlier today, a follow-up meeting was held under the chairmanship of the chief secretary to discuss the urgent rehabilitation of affected residents.”
Ghani admitted that the government currently lacked immediate housing resources and was therefore offering the displaced persons temporary accommodation in schools, community halls, and hotels. “I urge residents to bear the inconvenience to save their lives. A little hardship now can prevent a deadly tragedy later,” he said.
Responding to a question, the minister said that for the first time in the SBCA’s history, both senior and junior officers had been jailed for failing to prevent illegal constructions. “If they fail in their duties, we will take action,” he asserted.
Ghani remarked that illegal constructions also damaged water and sewerage infrastructure. “If we halt illegal constructions, other civic issues would be much easier to resolve.” Referring to the earlier Lyari Baghdadi tragedy, the minister admitted government shortcomings. “We acknowledge our failure to prevent illegal buildings within the scope of existing SBCA laws. This is why we’re working on amending the law to enable more effective action.”