Over 200 buildings lack layout plan

KMC’s inspection report exposes buildings constructed with poor material

KARACHI:

Sensational revelations came out in the report presented by Karachi Municipal Corporation (KMC) in the Sindh High Court regarding the fire incidents in multi-storied buildings in Karachi. It has been stated in the KMC report that, more than 200 buildings on I.I Chundrigar Road, Khalid Bin Waleed Road and Sharea Faisal were inspected. It was found out that all the inspected buildings have been constructed with poor materials and without proper planning. The buildings also lack fire fighting system, emergency exit and other necessary arrangements.

Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) did not even consult KMC while issuing NOC to these buildings. SBCA issued completion certificates to these buildings without inspection. The report recommended that action against illegal constructions and those issuing NOCs is necessary.

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Anti-corruption has started action against the involved SBCA officers and builders. Dozens of fire incidents have occurred in Karachi in a few years. A petition was filed in the court for inspection of the buildings.

Family vlogging case

The Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the implementation of the court orders about dissemination of obscenity under the pretence of family vlogging. The court also ordered the removal of objectionable content from the social media. In this regard the court issued written order, asking the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) and others to submit report on March 13.

The counsel for the Pakistan Telecommunication Authority (PTA) has sought time to appear and submit the reply. The court ordered the PTA and others to remove offensive and immoral information from social media platforms. The court said that the order of January 31 should be implemented, and a report should be submitted.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Usman Farooq Advocate, contended before the bench that obscenity is being promoted in society under the cover of family vlogging.

Published in The Express Tribune, February 22^nd, 2024.