Construction of high-rise building opposite to CM House stopped for security concerns

Karachi: Construction of the country’s first 50-storey building just opposite the Sindh Chief Minister’s House has been stopped on the orders of Commissioner Karachi due for security reasons.
Official documents available with The News suggest that Commissioner Karachi has ordered to stop the construction of Chapal Skymark, plot number CL-10/17, Civil Lines Quarters Karachi South, said to be the country’s first 50-storey luxury residential tower. Additional deputy commissioner South Muhammad Khan Rind has written a letter to director general (DG) Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) in this regard asking a list of all high-rise buildings approved by SBCA in district South Karachi along with the copies of the minutes of the meetings chaired by the granting authority within three days.
It is pertinent to mention here that on December 31 1971 the then Deputy Commissioner South K Idress had refused permission to construct the multi-storey building for the same reasons. On November 15, 1972 then Deputy Inspector General (DIG) Special Branch of Sindh Police also opposed the construction.
But in 2014 the Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) granted permission of 50-storey building on the same plot without getting the permission of Collector (Deputy Commissioner) and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) approved the site plan and map irregularly. According to the law, KMC and SBCA have to get the consent of collector (deputy commissioner) but both these institutions overruled the law.
Additional deputy commissioner South Karachi Muhammad Khan Rind confirming the move told The News that KMC issued permission letter without consulting the collector that’s why the Commissioner has ordered to stop the construction.
Revenue Authorities have started scrutinizing the permissions of high-rise buildings issued by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC).