The Sindh government has dismissed the established Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Director General after 27 people died in a building collapse in Karachi’s Lyari area. Another 51 buildings are earmarked for demolition after examination.
The collapse of a five-story building in Baghdadi on Friday resulted in the death of 11 women, 16 men and one and a half years old girl, while 10 others were injured. A wounded person remains under treatment.
The last body to be extracted under the rubble was 15-year-old Muhammad Zaid, who was trapped for 48 hours.
Read: Karachis Lyari Building Collapse claims 27 lives as rescue operation ends
Zaid’s father and two brothers also died in the collapse. Despite challenging conditions, rescue operations ended without additional victims that are believed to be caught.
The provincial government has promised RS1 million in compensation for the Aggreived families.
Dismissal and suspension
At a press conference, Sindh senior information outlined Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani and Sindh minister Zia-Ul-Hassan Lanjar government’s response to the disaster.
Ghani confirmed that Karachi Commissioner has been tasked with providing detailed information about 51 buildings considered unsafe within 24 hours, including the number of units and residents. This information is crucial to begin the demolition process, he said.
“These 51 buildings in poor condition will be treated urgently,” Memon added. “The necessary steps will be taken to ensure residents’ safety and the demolition process starts as soon as we have the required details.”
The Pakistani Peoples Party-led Sindh government has promised to take strict action against those found responsible for the collapse, with Ghani informing the media that SBCA staff responsible for overseeing Lyari have already been suspended.
In addition, the SBCA General Director has been rejected, he said, adding that a case will be filed against negligent officers and those found guilty will be DEALTH with litigation.
The government has set up a new committee, led by the Karachi Commissioner, to investigate the condition of other fallen buildings all over the city. The government has also promised RS1 million in compensation for the victims’ families.
“We won’t tolerate any criminal neglect,” Lanjar said. “Government is fully obliged to keep those responsible responsible.”
Memon emphasized the government’s obligation to strengthen laws on illegal construction with a two-week deadline set for changes to SBCA rules.
Fallen buildings
The Sindh government has also announced plans to move residents from uncertain buildings and improve conditions in Karachi’s 586 fallen buildings.
While rescue operations were underway, three buildings next to the collapsed structure were also severely damaged.
Two of the buildings sustained considerable structural damage, while a newly built six -storey building was evacuated as a caution. Despite the evacuation, the operations continued as usual in the newly erected building.
However, there has been concern that SBCA has not yet inspected the affected buildings and no contact with owners or residents in the two most vulnerable structures has been created.
Sindh government spokesman Sukhdev Hemnani assured that the provincial government remains firmly engaged in supporting the victims of Lyari building collapse, including members of the Hindu society.
“We want to ensure that all victims get equal assistance,” he said, adding that a recovery plan for the victims is currently concluding.
The provincial government confirmed its commitment to prioritizing the needs of the minority and ensuring the security of all residents, especially in vulnerable communities such as Lyari.
