Karachi:
The Senior Minister of Sindh, Sharjeel Inam Memon, said that Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah has immediately suspended the general director of the Control Authority of the Building of Sindh (SBCA) and has constituted an investigation committee, which will present its report on the tragic incident within two days.
Sharjeel Memon expressed a deep sadness and pain for the tragic incident of the collapse of the building in Lyari while heading to a press conference on Monday. He said that Prime Minister Murad Ali Shah presided over an emergency meeting and decided that strict measures would be taken against irresponsible and corrupt officers and officials.
The Investigation Committee, headed by Commissioner Karachi, received instructions to immediately demolish 51 extremely noisy buildings in the city. Another 588 insecure buildings will also be inspected to ensure that dangerous structures are unemployed and demolished in a timely manner.
Saeed Ghani declared that affected families will receive a million each as compensation. In addition, he said that all officers who have been published in the affected area since 2022 will be included in the investigation, and a case will be recorded against the officers whose negligence is proven.
The Interior Minister, Lanjar declared that measures would be taken against those responsible for criminal negligence.
In response to a question, the main minister said the government is reviewing the situation in marginal neighborhood areas, noting that 740 Buildings in Sindh require repairs.
He added that the relocation of residents would not raise a problem, since similar arrangements were successfully implemented during the COVID-19 pandemic and for the victims of floods.
Answering a question, Saeed Ghani said that illegal constructions are a serious problem in Karachi and that it is the responsibility of the Building Control Authority of Sindh (SBCA) to prevent them. He added that the amendments to the SBCA rules are underway, and suggestions have been sought within two weeks to allow effective action against illegal constructions and abandoned buildings.
He added that the Government is also considering whether the authority to demolish buildings must remain with the SBCA or be entrusted to a private institution.
The main minister, Sharjeel, was accompanied by Interior Minister Ziaul Hassan Lanjar, the local government minister, Saeed Ghani, and the Minister of Special Taxes and Taxes, Mikesh Kumar Chawla.
