Heads roll at SBCA over heritage building's demolition

Inquiry establishes SBCA's committee started demolition of Kharas House during Eid holidays

KARACHI:

Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Haider Shah has ordered the registration of FIRs against two officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and the owner of Kharas House, a protected heritage property in Clifton, following its illegal demolition during the Eid holidays.

The move came after an inquiry report by the Karachi commissioner, which held the demolition of the colonial-era structure - located at Plot No FT-4/14, Bath Island Road - unlawful and revealed a premeditated attempt by SBCA officials and the property owner, Dhummai Cowasjee Kanja, to bypass regulatory oversight.

The chief secretary had ordered the inquiry on April 24. Its findings have triggered a wave of disciplinary actions: SBCA Director General Ishaq Khuhro has been issued a show-cause notice, while SBCA Director Ashfaq Hussain Khokhar and Deputy Director Agha Kashif have been suspended by the Local Government Department. The Services and Administration Department has suspended Pirah Mangi, Deputy Director (Heritage) at the Culture, Tourism and Archives Department.

According to the report, the SBCA's Technical Committee on Dangerous Buildings started the demolition process on January 4, 2024, without input from professional bodies such as the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) and the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD). Despite acknowledging that Kharas House appeared to be a heritage structure, the SBCA granted demolition permission on October 18, 2024, without seeking mandatory heritage status verification from the culture department.

Perhaps most troubling, the demolition was timed to coincide with the Eid holidays - when government oversight would be minimal. The report stated that it was the deputy commissioner for District South, not the SBCA or culture department, who first took action to halt the demolition.

The inquiry also uncovered attempts by SBCA to retroactively cover up its role: demolition notices were issued only after work had begun, and no timely communication was made with the assistant commissioner to prevent the damage. Terming the case a "clear example of misconduct and manipulation," the report has recommended criminal proceedings against the SBCA officials involved as well as the property owner.

The entire matter was also brought to the knowledge of the Chief Minister Sindh, who reviewed the findings of the inquiry and fully endorsed the actions taken against the responsible officers. The Chief Minister expressed grave concern over the unlawful demolition of a protected heritage site and emphasized the need for strict accountability and reiterated the government's firm stance on the protection of Sindh's cultural heritage.

Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah has also instructed the Culture Department to immediately begin a citywide survey and mapping of all declared heritage buildings in Karachi. The Chief Secretary also directed that disciplinary proceedings be initiated against the Deputy Director (Heritage), Culture, Tourism, Antiquities & Archives Department, under the applicable Efficiency and Discipline (E&D) Rules, for failure to discharge duties and prevent the illegal demolition. The Chief Secretary emphasized that any individual found involved in endangering or destroying the cultural heritage of Sindh would face severe legal and administrative consequences.