KARACHI (HRNW)– A grave violation of building safety regulations has been reported at Plot No. GRE-369, Bhayani Pride, where the unauthorized construction of 6th and 7th floors is reportedly underway on a structure nearly three decades old. The illegal vertical expansion has triggered panic among local residents, who fear a catastrophic structural failure.
Legal Complaint Filed
Advocate Nadeem Ahmed Jamal, representing concerned residents of the area, has formally lodged a complaint (SCRM-20260316-6) through the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Smart Complaint Redressal Mechanism portal. The complaint categorizes the ongoing work as “heinous and dangerous,” citing that a 30-year-old foundation is not designed to bear the additional load of two extra floors.
Allegations of Patronage and “Gratification”
The complaint goes beyond the bricks and mortar, leveling serious allegations against high-ranking officials. It is alleged that the construction is proceeding under the direct patronization of SBCA Director Shahid Khushk and other subordinate staff.
Sources familiar with the matter claim that “hefty gratification” and under-the-table deals have allowed the builders to bypass the Sindh Building Control Ordinance (SBCO) 1979 and the Karachi Building & Town Planning Regulations. Residents allege that field inspectors have turned a blind eye to the site despite the obvious and visible violations.
Violation of Building Bye-Laws
Under the current SBCA Bye-laws, any addition or alteration to an existing structure requires:
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Structural Stability Certificate: A mandatory vetting by a certified structural engineer to ensure the old foundation can handle new loads.
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Approved Building Plan: No new construction can commence without a fresh NOC and approved blueprints.
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Zoning Compliance: Unauthorized floors often violate the Floor Area Ratio (FAR) and height restrictions designated for the area.
Legal experts note that Section 7-A of the SBCO 1979 mandates the sealing and demolition of any structure built without an approved plan.
Public Safety at Risk
The local community has appealed to the Director General (DG) of SBCA and the Local Government Minister to intervene immediately. “We are looking at a potential human tragedy,” said one resident. “If this building collapses due to the weight of these illegal floors, the blood of the innocent will be on the hands of the SBCA officials who took bribes to look the other way.”
The complainant has demanded an immediate halt to the construction, a technical audit of the building’s strength, and a high-level inquiry into the alleged corruption of Director Shahid Khushk and his team.
