SC withdraws order banning construction of high-rises in Karachi

SBCA can construct multi-storey buildings as per law, says apex court

The Supreme Court on Tuesday withdrew its earlier order banning construction of high-rise and multi-storey building in specific residential and commercial localities of the metropolis, Express News reported.



The decision came in a petition seeking review of the apex court’s May 2017 order banning high-rise constructions beyond six floors in the port city. The apex court also stated that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SCBA) can construct high-rise buildings as per law.

In May last year, the SC had restrained the SBCA and cantonment boards from issuing building approval plans for new high-rise and multi-storey commercial and residential projects without the availability of proper water supply and sewerage systems.



The top court was compelled to slap a ban on new projects being allowed by the government sans proper planning to resolve the worsening crisis of potable drinking water and deteriorating sewerage system in Karachi and the rest of the province.

The court had also directed the private builders and developers association to write a proposal on the installation of treatment plants in each multi-storey project in order to resolve the problems relating to sewerage.

Subsequently, the SBCA had stopped approval of new building plans for skyscrapers. Later, the private builders and developers association approached the SC, pleading to review its restraining order.