SBCA Declares Hundreds of Karachi Buildings Unsafe

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has identified 578 buildings in Karachi as hazardous and unsuitable for living. A significant number of these, totaling 456, are situated in District South.

High-Risk Areas Identified

An internal report by the SBCA paints a concerning picture of highly populated areas, including Lyari and the Old City Area, where 107 structures are classified as dangerous.

District-Wise Breakdown of Unsafe Buildings:

  • Central: 66
  • Keamari: 23
  • Korangi: 14
  • East: 13
  • Malir: 4
  • West: 2

Limited Response and Enforcement Concerns

Despite these alarming statistics, the SBCA’s actions have primarily been limited to issuing notifications and installing warning signs, raising serious questions regarding the effectiveness of their enforcement measures.

Lack of Evacuation Efforts

Sources indicate that no substantial steps have been initiated to evacuate residents from these structurally unsound buildings.

Lyari Building Collapse Example

A five-story building that collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi area on Friday morning, constructed in 1975, housed more than 40 individuals. The SBCA stated that formal evacuation notices were issued two years prior. Furthermore, on June 25, 2025, notices were purportedly sent to K-Electric and the Water Board to terminate utility connections. However, these services were not disconnected, and the building was not evacuated.

Call for Immediate Action

Experts emphasize that mere notices and banners are insufficient. They are urging the Sindh government to guarantee the immediate evacuation of residents from such buildings and arrange temporary accommodation for those displaced, to prevent further disasters.