Karachi: The Sindh government has directed a fresh, comprehensive survey of all buildings declared dangerous across the province, following concerns that some structures may have been wrongly categorized as hazardous.
The decision was made during the first meeting of a provincial-level committee chaired by Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani on Tuesday. The committee was recently formed to oversee the review of dilapidated and dangerous buildings throughout Sindh, particularly in Karachi.
Minister Ghani emphasized that district-level committees already exist under the supervision of respective deputy commissioners, but these will now be restructured to include technical representation from the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD), the Pakistan Engineering Council, and the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners.
During the meeting, officials reviewed data on 588 vulnerable and 59 extremely dangerous buildings across Karachi and other parts of Sindh. According to the Karachi Commissioner, 29 of the 59 extremely dangerous buildings have already been evacuated, and the residents’ information has been documented. Evacuation efforts are ongoing for the remaining structures.
Ghani acknowledged that several residents have raised valid objections, suggesting that their buildings may have been wrongly labeled as hazardous. In response, he ordered that the fresh survey be expedited and that a detailed report be submitted within a week at the next committee meeting.
As part of the government’s relief efforts, three months’ rent will be provided to the families evacuated from the 29 buildings, as well as to the families affected by the recent building collapse in Baghdadi, Lyari. The minister also mentioned that recommendations will be made for those with tenancy under the pagri system and other ownership or occupancy rights, with possible compensation or alternative resettlement options to be considered.
Ghani assured that the issue of unsafe buildings is being treated with seriousness and transparency, and that the committee includes a broad range of public and private stakeholders — including engineers, architects, planners, and ABAD representatives — to ensure balanced and technically sound decisions.
The committee’s mandate includes proposing short- and long-term rehabilitation plans for affected residents. Buildings that can be made livable through minor or moderate repairs will be identified for restoration. For those deemed irreparable, a phased evacuation and relocation policy will be developed in consultation with technical experts and relevant authorities.
Additionally, all district-level committees have been instructed to submit daily progress reports to the commissioner, who will compile the findings for presentation in future meetings of the provincial committee. Committee members unanimously agreed that no injustice will be allowed, and all efforts will be made to rehabilitate residents wherever feasible, prioritizing safety, fairness, and accountability in the process.
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