Another building collapse

In recent years, a considerable number of buildings have collapsed in cities of Sindh, including Karachi, resulting in many deaths. Many have suffered injuries and many life-long disabilities. Conditions worsened so much so that the Supreme Court instructed the provincial government to act to stem the rot. In the past week, the provincial government suspended 28 officials, including directors and deputy directors, of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SCBA). While inquiry is underway against these officials, on Thursday a five-storey building collapsed in Gulbahar area of Karachi leaving 13 dead and at least 38 others injured. Doctors say most of the deaths had been caused due to head injuries. Several of the injured are in a serious condition and they too had suffered injuries in the head. The five-storey building was constructed around three years ago and the sixth storey was under construction. The building was in a congested lane. Rescue officials said it appeared that pillars of the building were weak besides there were other flaws in the structure. All this points to negligence and corruption. This takes on added significance because of the frequent collapse of buildings.

There are instances where it has been established that additions to buildings had been allowed beyond the permissible limits. It is mostly such buildings that have collapsed. It is obvious why officials of the SBCA turn a blind eye to unauthorised constructions. The government has ordered an inquiry into the Gulbahar building collapse. It is hoped that now the government moves seriously to eliminate underhand dealings, inefficiency and mismanagement.

After the recent suspension of 28 officials of the SBCA, there were press reports quoting knowledgeable sources that the officials whose suspension orders were issued had been working till the suspension notices were served to them. Some of the officials were working for the SBCA while they were already facing NAB inquiries for acquiring assets beyond their known sources of income. A raid by a NAB team on the home of a senior official of the SBCA had reportedly led to the recovery of large amounts of money, several luxury cars and other valuables.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 7^th, 2020.

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