SBCA turns a blind eye as illegal constructions continue

SBCA officials, other government officers involved in the illegal ventures

KARACHI: After carrying out illegal constructions in different parts of Karachi, the land mafia has diverted its attention to Gulshan-e-Iqbal Scheme 33 and Gulshan-e-Iqbal Town I.

Land grabbers have fooled investigation agencies by getting the building maps approved illegally. This particular group of land grabbers, led by Sindh Building Control Authority assistant director Asif Shaikh, has illegally taken over land in Scheme 33. Shaikh has allegedly teamed up with SBCA Gulshan Iqbal Zone-I director to illegally take over the land.

According to sources, the Gulshan Iqbal-1 director, with the help of Asif Sheikh, has begun to build a forest of illegal constructions throughout Scheme 33 without even bothering to get approvals for the maps of the buildings or houses by the SBCA. Reportedly, Asif Shaikh has granted approval for the building structures against massive kick-backs.

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The builder mafia is also currently making structures without passing maps, sources said, adding that four-storey, six-storey and eight-storey buildings are being constructed with a capacity of between 40 and 200 apartments. In the absence of any maps, large scale violations such as the absence of parking areas, are being committed during the construction of these structures.

According to sources, Asif Sheikh has begun a series of illegal constructions and is causing millions of rupees in losses to the government. On the other hand, the mafia seems to have no fear of the investigation agencies. Sources say that the two officers have formed an alliance with the city’s builder mafia, which is also using its own influence for construction without maps and regulations. If action is taken against the illegal residential projects, the allottees of the flats are at risk of losing their hard-earned money.

These two officers, Asif Sheikh and Gulshan Iqbal-1 Director, have been working without any authority.

SBCA chief Zafar Ahsan has meanwhile assumed a mysterious silence over the matter, said sources. Illegal constructions are being carried out in the city despite judicial orders, but there is no stopping the government officers and private builders’ mafia, who are allegedly making millions of rupees in bribes.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 3^rd, 2019.