SBCA workers ‘attacked’ while razing building

Residents ask why SBCA did not take action during construction

KARACHI:

Workers of the Sindh Building Control Authority sustained injuries on Saturday when they were allegedly attacked by the builder and residents of a building during a demolition operation in Nazimabad.

The SBCA was reportedly informed of an illegally constructed six-storey residential building on a 220 yard plot. The builder reportedly earned millions by selling most of the apartments in the building while some apartments were ready to be sold. However, the SBCA was reportedly informed of the building by a rival of the allegedly errant builder and a team arrived to demolish it.

SBCA demolition deputy director Muhammad Rehan and Liaquatabad Town assistant director Nawab Mangejo led a demolition team at the site, where residents of the building and accomplices of its builder allegedly attacked them. The SBCA operation was halted and several SBCA workers, including a lady searcher, sustained injuries.

While SBCA police and area police were present, the resisting individuals remained there till late into the night.

According to SHO Inspector Moin, the building was vacant but a family was housed there temporarily before the SBCA team arrived. A police party has been deputed to deal with any emergency situation, he said, adding that legal action would be taken against those involved in the attack and the operation will resume thereafter.

On the other hand, building residents asked why the authority had not acted earlier. The SBCA came to raze the building when apartments have been bought but where were they when the building was being constructed, asked the residents, who claimed they would not let anyone demolish the building.

According to the residents, the plot on which the building has been constructed is owned by a woman named Irum, who along with her partner has constructed the building. It has been nearly 18 months since the construction work was completed.

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