News Desk
KATACHI: The Sindh High Court has given the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) an ultimatum, ordering the regulatory body to submit a detailed response within two days concerning a petition related to illegal construction in Karachi’s Nazimabad area. This directive comes after the court expressed significant frustration over SBCA’s repeated delays in addressing the matter, which has been pending for over a year without any meaningful action.
During the hearing, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput highlighted the persistent failure of SBCA to take swift action, noting that the case had been delayed despite several deadlines. He pointed out that the SBCA often only takes action once the illegal constructions are completed, leading to situations where residents are later issued notices to vacate unlawful buildings. This pattern of inaction, the judge emphasized, has led to unnecessary complications for those living in structures that had not been sanctioned by the authority.
SBCA officials, in response to the court’s frustration, requested an additional two days to compile their response. While the court granted this extension, it imposed a fine of Rs 50,000 as a consequence of the authority’s ongoing delays. The court further set a firm deadline of November 18, marking this as the final date for SBCA to submit its response.
The court’s intervention underscores the growing concern over the unchecked spread of illegal constructions in Karachi, an issue that has been exacerbated by the lack of enforcement and regulatory oversight. The outcome of this case could set an important precedent for how the city’s building and zoning regulations are enforced in the future.
