Karachi: The city administration has launched a major operation to clear dangerously dilapidated buildings across Karachi, following safety concerns amid the ongoing monsoon season.
A high-level meeting chaired by Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi reviewed the progress of ongoing evacuation and demolition efforts. Officials reported that a total of 44 unsafe buildings have so far been evacuated and sealed — 41 in District South and 3 in District East — as a precautionary measure to prevent loss of life or injury.
Deputy Commissioner South, Javed Nabi Khoso, informed the meeting that the 41 structures vacated in his jurisdiction include 10 heritage buildings. Meanwhile, Deputy Commissioner East, Abrar Jafar, confirmed the evacuation of three dangerous buildings in his district.
The meeting decided that no building marked for demolition will be razed without formal approval from either the Commissioner Karachi or the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). In cases involving historical buildings, clearance will only be granted after consulting the Advisory and Technical Committee.
To accelerate the identification and inspection of vulnerable structures, Commissioner Naqvi appointed four officers to conduct detailed surveys of at-risk buildings. The Deputy Commissioner South was given additional responsibilities to oversee and coordinate this citywide effort.
The meeting was attended by DG SBCA Shahmeer Bhutto, deputy commissioners of all four districts — South, East, Central, and West — along with senior SBCA officials and representatives from other concerned departments.
The administration reiterated its commitment to prioritizing public safety, especially in areas where aging buildings pose a heightened risk due to heavy rains.
Samra Zulfiqar, a real estate analyst at Zameen.com, is passionate about finding projects that offer buyers the best returns. Her keen insights spotlight the market’s most promising opportunities.
