KARACHI: Karachi Commissioner Syed Hassan Naqvi has directed the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to complete the survey of dangerous buildings in the city, have them evacuated, and demolish those already evacuated as soon as possible.
During a meeting he chaired at his office on Wednesday to review dangerous buildings, Naqvi also ordered that historical buildings not be demolished without consulting with and the consent of the Heritage Foundation.
He said that these efforts are aimed at ensuring the safety of the residents of dangerous and dilapidated buildings, and preventing any more building collapses.
Presenting a report on dangerous buildings, Additional Commissioner-I Ghulam Mehdi Shah said that the chief minister had directed priority and immediate action to evacuate and demolish such buildings after the July 4 Lyari building collapse.
The meeting decided that the SBCA would complete the physical survey of 588 extremely dangerous buildings soon. It also decided that the demolition of 59 already evacuated buildings would be expedited. District South Deputy Commissioner Javed Nabi Khoso was told to prepare a report on the demolished buildings.
SBCA Director General Muzamil Hussain Halepoto said the demolition work on 59 evacuated buildings has begun, with one building already demolished and another scheduled for Thursday (today). Efforts are afoot to complete the demolition of all the evacuated buildings soon, he added.
The meeting was also informed that the number of extremely dangerous buildings has increased to 610 after the SBCA’s survey. It was decided that Khoso would complete the survey of the evacuated buildings and present the results in the next meeting.
Published in The NEWS on November 27, 2025.