Latest news with #SBCA
Express Tribune
5 days ago
- Politics
- Express Tribune
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.
Business Recorder
6 days ago
- Business
- Business Recorder
Centre's policies stalling Sindh's energy sector growth: Sharjeel
KARACHI: Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said that Sindh holds vast untapped resources capable of pulling Pakistan out of its persistent energy crisis, but federal government policies are stalling the province's energy sector growth. Speaking to the media, Memon emphasised that respecting provincial autonomy and giving Sindh authority proportionate to its resources could spark an energy revolution. He pointed out that over the past six years, 30 million tonnes of coal from Thar had been supplied to IPPs, generating 31 gigawatts of electricity, lighting up over 3 million homes. 'Thar coal can fulfil Pakistan's power needs for decades,' said Memon, stressing the long-term viability of local energy solutions. He added that the Sindh government is constructing a 105 km railway line to connect Thar coalfields with national and international markets, a transformative project for energy trade and logistics. Sindh is also moving toward renewable energy, with operational wind corridors, several solar projects underway, and the Nooriabad project already supplying 100 MW to Karachi. An Rs2.5 billion budget has been earmarked for future solar ventures. 'Two new solar parks for Karachi and others for Hyderabad, Sukkur, and Larkana are being planned,' revealed Memon. He accused the federal government of deliberately obstructing Sindh's solar and wind initiatives, urging it to remove barriers and extend full cooperation. On governance, he addressed other pressing issues and said illegal constructions are being tackled across Sindh, with the SBCA issuing 37 demolition notices in Sukkur alone. He said flood threats loom with rising water levels in the Indus River and low-level floods reported at Guddu and Sukkur barrages. Relief camps have been activated. Post-monsoon health alerts issued due to a surge in gastroenteritis, diarrhoea, and viral infections; mobile clinics are operational. On vehicle plate reforms, Memon clarified the new plate scheme aims to modernise registration, prevent theft, and curb crime, calling the negative propaganda 'baseless.' Memon concluded by stating that public welfare should not be politicised, and the Sindh government is ready to address genuine public grievances. Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
7 days ago
- Express Tribune
Residents protest eviction after Kharadar building declared unsafe
For the second day in a row, residents of a residential apartment building in the old city area of Kharadar remained stranded under the open sky after being forcibly evicted when the structure was declared unsafe by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). The affected families have appealed to the Sindh governor and other senior officials, calling for an independent structural assessment of the building by a credible engineering firm. They allege the eviction was unjustified and driven by vested interests. The eviction follows a tragic incident in Lyari's Baghdadi area where 27 people lost their lives after a derelict building collapsed. Following the tragedy, the Sindh government launched a city-wide crackdown against illegal and unsafe buildings in the metropolitan city. As part of the drive, the SBCA sealed Hajra Manzil, a six-storey building in Kharadar, deeming it vulnerable. Residents were given only 24 hours to vacate the premises. According to the displaced families, no alternative accommodation was provided, and many of their belongings remain locked inside the sealed building. The residents say that the building is structurally sound, with no visible cracks in the foundation, beams, or pillars. They allege that the eviction was orchestrated by a local builder who had earlier offered them Rs1.5 million per unit- far below the market value of Rs seven to eight million for vacating their apartments. "This was not a case of public safety. This was a land grab in the guise of safety," said one resident, speaking on condition of anonymity. "Until we are allowed to return to our homes, we will continue to stage our protest here." They further claim that the SBCA used heavy-handed tactics, including disconnecting electricity and gas connections, removing metres, and sealing the building's main gate. Notices declaring the structure unsafe were reportedly pasted both on Hajra Manzil and an adjacent, visibly dilapidated building -which has been uninhabited for years but has not been sealed. The residents allege they were given just 12 hours to leave and that women and children were forcibly evicted. "We were thrown out without warning, and now we are on the street," said another affected resident. The SBCA has yet to officially respond to the residents' claims or provide clarification regarding the inspection and criteria used to declare the building unsafe.
Business Recorder
12-07-2025
- Politics
- Business Recorder
Sindh govt's swift response to the Lyari tragedy
The collapse of Fotan Mansion in Lyari, Karachi, on July 4, 2025, was a heartbreaking tragedy that claimed 27 lives and laid bare the perils of unchecked urban decay. Yet, in the face of this disaster, the Sindh government has emerged as a model of decisive action, demonstrating that swift, stringent measures can pave the way for meaningful change. The five-story building, illegally constructed decades ago and long flagged as a hazard by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), was a disaster waiting to happen. Its collapse, while devastating, galvanized the government into immediate action. Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah wasted no time, ordering a comprehensive rescue operation despite the challenges of narrow alleys and chaotic crowds. The government's commitment to leaving no stone unturned in the recovery effort was evident as rescuers worked tirelessly for three days. What sets Sindh's response apart is its blend of compassion and accountability. The announcement of Rs1 million in compensation for each victim's family and three months' rent for displaced residents reflects a government attuned to the human toll of such tragedies. Simultaneously, the formation of a five-member inquiry committee to probe the collapse signals a resolve to uncover root causes and prevent future disasters. The suspension of SBCA's Director General, along with other officials, and the detention of eight officers alongside the building's owners underscore a zero-tolerance stance on negligence. The filing of an FIR for misconduct and unintentional death further reinforces this commitment to justice. The government's proactive measures extend beyond immediate relief. Identifying 740 unsafe buildings across Sindh, with 51 marked as 'extremely dangerous,' shows a clear eyed recognition of the broader crisis. The evacuation of nine dilapidated buildings in Lyari and the demolition of one are bold steps toward safety. The establishment of a rehabilitation committee, led by Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani, and the directive for SBCA officers to disclose assets within 15 days reflect a strategic vision to tackle both immediate needs and systemic corruption. By forming a legal committee to draft laws against unauthorized construction, Sindh is laying the groundwork for lasting reform. Critics may argue that these actions come too late for Fotan Mansion's victims, but they overlook the complexity of urban governance in a city like Karachi. The Sindh government has not only responded with urgency but also with a roadmap for change. Chief Minister Shah's call for citizens to verify building approvals before purchasing flats is a practical step to empower communities. This is governance that balances empathy with enforcement, setting a standard for others to follow. The Lyari tragedy is a painful reminder of the work ahead, but Sindh's response—swift, strict, and forward-thinking—offers hope. By holding officials accountable, supporting affected families, and prioritizing structural reforms, the government is turning grief into action. Karachi's future depends on sustaining this momentum, ensuring that no family in Lyari or beyond lives under the shadow of collapse. Nadir Nabil Gabol (The writer is the Spokesperson for the Government of Sindh and hails from Lyari. The views expressed in this article are not necessarily those of the newspaper) Copyright Business Recorder, 2025
Express Tribune
10-07-2025
- Politics
- Express Tribune
Top govt depts face heat in ombudsman's report 2024
Sindh Police and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) are among the top nine government departments that received the highest number of public complaints in Sindh, according to the Provincial Ombudsman's Annual Report for 2024. The report strongly recommends curbing political influence in the recruitment, transfers, and postings of government employees. Provincial Ombudsman Sohail Rajput recently submitted the report to Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah. Other departments on the list include the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC), Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation, Accountant General Sindh, Health, School Education, Revenue, and Local Government departments. According to the report, over 50 per cent of the total 9,151 complaints received in 2024 were directed at these nine departments. A staggering 6,620 grievances were lodged against them. The primary complaint against SBCA was its failure to control illegal constructions, particularly in the city's residential areas. "People continuously seek redressal for these issues, which have grown significantly over time especially in Karachi, the country's economic hub," the report stated. To tackle the problem, the Ombudsman recommended halting frequent transfers and postings within SBCA to ensure accountability. It also advised encouraging construction on the city's outskirts to reduce unauthorised development within the urban core. The police department came under heavy criticism for not registering FIRs in cognisable offenses, making illegal arrests, corruption, abuse of power, and difficulties in obtaining driving licenses. The report stated that the department remains "highly politicised and under the control of politicians." To address this, the report urged the provincial government to minimise unnecessary transfers and removals of police officers and to ensure merit-based recruitment. It also recommended setting up Citizen-Police Liaison Committees in all districts. The School Education Department was also flagged for political interference in appointments and postings. "Such influence results in the selection of personnel based on loyalty rather than merit," the report noted. Complaints against the education sector mainly concerned teacher shortages in remote areas, absenteeism, misuse of School Management Committee (SMC) funds, and the lack of basic amenities such as drinking water, electricity, bathrooms, furniture, and boundary walls particularly in girls' schools.
