Action against portion mafia intensifies in District Central

On directives of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), multiple first information reports (FIRs) have been registered in police stations of District Central against suspects allegedly involved in unauthorised construction, commonly referred to as ‘portion mafia’.

Two FIRs were registered on Monday at the Gulberg and Nazimabad police stations over illegal constructions and extortion. Another similar FIR was registered on April 4 at the Taimuria police station.

The FIR No 163/25 was registered at the Nazimabad police station under the sections 384, 385, 420 and 34 on the complaint of the a deputy director of the SBCA. According to the FIR, seven suspects, including Asadullah Khan, had been arrested for their involvement in illegal constructions in Nazimabad No 3. They also allegedly posed as officials of the SBCA and other government departments to extort money from people.

The three FIRs in as many days indicate a sharp escalation in the authorities’ crackdown against illegal constructions. Several suspects linked to unlawful building practices have been arrested in connection with these FIRs, while additional lists of violators are being compiled by law enforcers.

Police have launched targeted overnight raids at the homes, offices and hideouts of other suspects believed to be involved in unauthorised constructions and extortion. The FIR No 177/25 at the Gulberg police station was registered under the sections 384, 385, 420, and 34 of the Pakistan Penal Code on the complaint of SBCA Assistant Director for District Central Mubashir Ahmed.

The FIR named six individuals allegedly operating illegal construction projects in various neighbourhoods of District Central. The nominated suspects included Muhammad Aslam, Farhan Bari, Muhammad Arshad, Azizullah, Jafar and Sajjad. Police said five of the accused have been arrested, while the sixth suspect — Sajjad, alias Dumba — remained at large.

The complainant stated that the suspects were involved in multiple cases of illegal construction across District Central. He alleged that they were also extorting citizens under the pretense of being officials of the SBCA and other government departments.

Led by Central SSP Zeeshan Siddiqui, police conducted overnight raids in Gulberg, Nazimabad and North Nazimabad, which are areas known for widespread illegal constructions, for the arrest of suspects Kashif Anda, Owais Mubarak, Zahid Kala, Faizan Better and the absconding Sajjad.

“A comprehensive list of violators is being compiled, and no leniency will be shown to those engaged in illegal constructions,” a senior police officer of District Central said, adding that all the SHOs and their teams were actively participating in the campaign. In an unprecedented move, the SBCA has formally authorised its officers to file FIRs against those involved in unlawful construction. Designated officers from each town in District Central — including Agha Zubair, Atif Khan, Syed Samad Raza, Murtaza Tunio, Mubashir Ahmed Khan, and Farooq Ahmed Shaikh — have been instructed to maintain coordination with the District Central SSP’s office.

An earlier case, FIR No 270/25, was registered at the Taimuria police station on the complaint of SBCA Assistant Director Syed Samad Raza on April 4. After the FIR registration, police arrested a key suspect, Kashif, alias Sticker, who was allegedly involved in illegal portion-building and extortion.