Display of QR codes on under-construction buildings made mandatory in Karachi

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has taken a decisive action to tackle the proliferation of illegal constructions in Karachi by issuing a notification to affix QR codes on all under-construction residential and commercial buildings, complete with detailed information.

Officials said that the notification issued by SBCA Director General Abdul Rasheed Solangi mandates the placement of plot number, date of approval, nature of building, number of floors approved, SBCA licences, and contact details of building owners and contractors at the site of under-construction buildings.

Solangi said that the provision of details on such buildings would facilitate easy access to information for the public regarding the number of floors in a building and whether the construction is approved or not. He said action would be taken against those building owners who do not comply with these requirements.

He also said that by scanning QR codes printed on boards placed on the approved under-construction residential and commercial buildings, people can easily determine the legal status of a building using their smartphones. This initiative will not only empower people but also assist the authorities in identifying illegal constructions, he added.

The notification reads: “In exercise of the powers conferred under Section 21-A of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance [SBCO], 1979, the Authority is pleased to make and promulgate the following insertions in the existing Karachi Building & Town Planning Regulations, 2002, and the Regional Interim Building & Town Planning Regulations, 2018, with immediate effect.

“The following insertions after regulations No. 3-2.6.1(c) in Chapter 3 (Permits & Procedures) of the Karachi Building & Town Planning Regulations, 2002 (amended to date), as clause 3-2.6.1(d) and in Chapter 3 (Permits & Procedures) of Regional Interim Building & Town Planning Regulations, 2018, as clause 3-2.6.1(d) are hereby made by the Authority under SBCO 1979 with immediate effect and published for general information.

“These amendments shall be called the Karachi Building & Town Planning Regulations 2002 (Amendment 2024) and the Regional Interim Building & Town Planning Regulations 2018 (Amendment 2024).”

Clause 3-2.6.1(d) reads: “Every person who has obtained a construction permit under these Regulations and carries out building works shall display the following details regarding the construction permit, irrespective of size, category and land use of such plot: plot number, date of approval, nature of building, number of floors approved, number and contact numbers of owner, contractor, SBCA licensed professionals, and the approved plan, along with the details mentioned above shall be displayed at the site on a lamination sheet or Panaflex, reflecting the QR code issued by the Authority.”