KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has directed residents to vacate several buildings in Lyari after inspections found the structures to be dangerous and potentially unsafe for continued occupation.
The latest notices cover buildings in areas including Nawabad, Bahar Colony, Chakiwara, Khadda and Daryabad. Residents have reportedly been given three days from the receipt of the notices to leave the affected properties or take steps to remove the hazardous structures themselves.
SBCA Continues Action Against Unsafe Buildings
The latest enforcement forms part of SBCA’s wider efforts to address buildings classified as dangerous across Karachi. The authority maintains an official list of unsafe structures, with several properties in different parts of Lyari included in the record.
South District has remained a significant area of concern because of the number of older and structurally weakened buildings requiring inspection and enforcement action.
Lyari Faces Ongoing Building Safety Concerns
The issue has received greater attention following previous building collapses in Lyari that caused fatalities and raised questions about the condition of other aging structures in the area.
Authorities have subsequently pursued inspections, evacuation notices and demolition of buildings considered to pose serious risks. SBCA’s Technical Committee on Dangerous Buildings has also identified structures requiring action based on their condition.
However, enforcement remains challenging because many of the affected buildings are occupied. Residents who receive evacuation notices can face difficulties finding alternative accommodation, particularly where households have limited financial resources.
Residents Given Three Days to Respond
Under the latest notices, occupants have a three-day period after receiving the formal orders to vacate the identified buildings. The notices also require action concerning structures considered hazardous.
The short response period highlights the safety concerns associated with the buildings covered by the latest enforcement action. Residents should therefore avoid treating such notices as routine regulatory correspondence.
Relocation Remains a Key Concern
While the evacuation orders address the immediate safety issue, details regarding alternative accommodation or relocation support for residents affected by this particular action have not been disclosed.
This remains an important issue in areas where dangerous buildings are occupied by families who may have limited options for moving elsewhere. The effectiveness of the latest enforcement will therefore depend not only on issuing notices but also on how the affected properties and residents are managed afterward.
Implications for Property Owners and Residents
People living in Nawabad, Bahar Colony, Chakiwara, Khadda, Daryabad and other parts of Lyari should pay close attention to any official SBCA notices concerning building safety.
Property owners, tenants and prospective buyers should also verify the current regulatory and structural status of a building before entering into a purchase or rental agreement. Checking SBCA records and obtaining relevant documentation can help identify whether a property has been classified as dangerous or is subject to enforcement action.
The latest notices underline the importance of addressing structural safety concerns promptly, particularly in older buildings where continued occupation may expose residents to serious risks.
