Sindh senior minister Sharjeel Memon said on Thursday that nine uncertain buildings in Karachi’s Lyari area have been relocated with demolition work in progress on one of them, Express News reported.
The development follows the collapse of a five-story residential building in Lyaris Bagdadi area last week, which required 27 lives and left 10 others wounded.
In response, SINDH Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah suspended the Director -General of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and constituted an investigation committee to investigate the incident.
In a statement, Memon said the newly appointed SBCA Head of Director Shahmir Khan Bhutto has ordered all officers to submit details of their assets within 15 days. He warned that a strict action would be taken against officials involved in the construction or protection of illegal buildings.
Read more: Heads Rolls After Lyari -Tragedy
In the meantime, a case has been recorded in connection with the collapse of Lyari building. Police have taken care of several senior officers in SBCA as well as owners of the building.
According to officials, special teams have been formed to arrest those named in FIR which are sealed. In a RAID at the SBCA office, police detained eight senior officers, including a former official, to question.
The detainees include additional Director -General Irfan Naqvi, Zargham Shah, Asif Rizvi, Ashfaq Khokhar, Deputy CEO Faheem Siddiqui, Assistant Director Zulfiqar Shah, Faheem Murtaza and retired director Asif Rizvi. Building owners have also been arrested.
Sources said that the detainees are questioned by illegal constructions in the Lyari area.
ALSO READ: SBCA General Director dismissed over Lyari-Building Collaps
By touching the province’s electricity sector, the minister announced that the Sindh government reveals Sindh Electric Policy 2024 next month. As part of the plan to spur industrial growth, a subsidy of RS18 per year will be offered. Device for Electricity in Nooriabad and Dhabeji Industrial Zones.
He also said that the Environmental Protection Agency has launched a crash on illegal wastewater discharge to sea views, instructing inspection teams to submit a report within 48 hours.
With regard to consumer rights, MEMON noted that NEPRA has instructed K-electric and other electricity companies to repay over-charged amounts to consumers in April and May 2025. A refund of RS4.035 and 50 Paisa per year. Unit must be issued.
The Minister also expressed concern about the termination of 800 employees in Utility Stores Corporation in Sindh and called the decision “regrettable.” He said employees have not been reintroduced despite a court decision.
