Unsafe Karachi college puts 700 students in peril

The deteriorating condition of the Government Degree Girls College Green Belt in Mehmoodabad has raised serious safety concerns, as a bureaucratic tug-of-war between the college administration and the College Education Department’s Works and Services Wing continues to delay the evacuation of the dangerously dilapidated building.

Located under the administrative control of the Sindh College Education Department, the building has been declared structurally unsafe. Cracks have spread across the structure, portions of the ground-floor ceiling are on the verge of collapse, and the upper floors are also reportedly unstable.

Despite repeated warnings, the premises remain occupied by nearly 700 enrolled students and staff, putting their lives at risk daily. This alarming state of disrepair was first highlighted by the college principal in a formal communication to the regional director of colleges several months ago.

In response, the Works and Services Department issued several letters—dated August 26 and September 1—urging the immediate evacuation of the premises to avoid any untoward incident. However, no meaningful action has been taken thus far.

According to sources, a plan was initially devised to shift Green Belt College temporarily to another government college in the Azam Basti area. However, the administration of the proposed site reportedly resisted the move verbally, leading to a stalemate.

As a result, the college continues to function in the same dilapidated building. Only a few classrooms have been vacated, with some classes now being held in makeshift arrangements inside laboratory rooms.

Repeated attempts by The Express Tribune to contact the college principal, Prof Anees Fatima, remained unsuccessful. Despite several SMS messages and calls, she did not respond to requests for comment.

Speaking to The Express Tribune, Regional Director of Colleges Prof Qazi Arshad admitted the dangerous condition of the building and revealed that it was either constructed beside or directly over a stormwater drain, which has further complicated matters.

He criticised the Works and Services Department for bypassing protocol and writing directly to the college administration. “We have now sent soil samples for testing. Once the report is received, a final decision will be taken regarding relocation,” he added.

In its August 26 communication, the Works and Services Subdivision-I had categorically termed the building “extremely dangerous” and advised immediate evacuation. A follow-up letter on September 1 reiterated the urgency, specifically directing the administration to vacate the unsafe sections of the college.

Despite these clear warnings, the building remains occupied, leaving the lives of hundreds of young students and teachers hanging in the balance.