Deadly constructions

A court in Karachi has found the owner of a building that collapsed in the Gulbahar area in 2020, along with four of his family members, guilty of manslaughter. They have been sentenced to prison after failing to pay blood money. The seven-story building that collapsed, killing 27 people, was constructed on a small 74 sq-yd plot. Such examples are plenty in Karachi. The city, a sprawling metropolis, is plagued by the persistent lack of effective building code implementation. This failure not only endangers lives but also highlights a deeper systemic issue. In recent years, Karachi has witnessed numerous tragedies resulting from poorly constructed buildings. The collapse in Gulbahar serves as a stark reminder of the dire consequences of negligence. Despite the presence of building codes designed to ensure safety and structural integrity, enforcement is alarmingly lax. Corruption within municipal authorities exacerbates the problem, with bribery and favouritism often leading to the approval of illegal constructions. This toxic nexus between developers and officials undermines the very foundation of urban planning.

Civic bodies, tasked with safeguarding public welfare, have frequently failed to uphold their responsibilities. Many officials prioritise personal gain over community safety, allowing unsafe buildings to proliferate in the port city. This not only compromises the physical safety of residents but also erodes public trust in governance. A comprehensive overhaul of building code enforcement is needed in Karachi. Transparency and accountability must be prioritised within civic bodies to eliminate corruption. Implementing strict penalties for those who violate codes and holding officials accountable for their complicity is essential. Community awareness and involvement in monitoring building practices can also play a pivotal role in promoting safety. No other major city has such a lax attitude towards urban planning and building code implementation as Karachi. This needs to change and authorities need a major overhaul to rectify performance.