Many lives at risk due to illegal constructions: ABAD chairperson

He has sent letters to authorities, warning them of the looming disaster

KARACHI: Association of Builders and Developer of Pakistan (ABAD) Chairperson Mohsin Sheikhani has sent letters to the relevant authorities, informing them that the lives of around one million people are at risk due to illegal and substandard constructions by "unscrupulous elements that are facilitated by corrupt Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officials."

He has stated in the letters that those responsible for illegal and unscrupulous constructions are guilty of flouting SBCA rules and regulations.

Sheikhani has sent letters to Sindh Chief Minister (CM) Syed Murad Ali Shah, Sindh Chief Secretary Mumtaz Ali Shah, Sindh Local Government Minister Nasir Hussain Shah, Advisor to CM on Law Murtaza Wahab, National Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Lt. Gen. Muhammad Afzal and Sindh Disaster Management Authority Chairperson Syed Salman Shah.

He has pointed out in the letters that various elements have been involved in illegal constructions in Karachi, in violation of the Sindh Building Control Ordinance (SBCO), 1979. He has warned that in the aftermath of such substandard and illegal constructions, many lives can be lost if a natural disaster occurs. He has expressed regret over the non-compliance of SBCO - a law aimed at regulating building construction and holding SBCA officials accountable.

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According to Sheikhani, unapproved and illegal buildings in the city can collapse at any time.

The ABAD chairperson has suggested in the letters that the government appoints an expert from the private sector as the head of SBCA, as stated under section four of SBCO. In this regard, he also gave the example of the Lahore Development Authority that is headed by an expert from the private sector, which, according to Sheikhani, has made the body's operations more efficient and effective.

Sheikhani has stated in the letters that as per section 4 (b) of SBCO, a governing body is to oversee the operations of SBCA and monitor the appointment of a director general to run its technical and administrative matters.   But, unfortunately, no one cares about implementing laws in letter and in spirit, he said, adding that the issuance of approvals for legal buildings has been halted, whereas illegal buildings are being constructed without any fear. He warned that thousands of people may die due to the construction of substandard and illegal buildings in case of a natural calamity.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 6^th, 2019.