SBCA Chief Suspended After Karachi Building Collapse Kills 27

DG Removed for Misconduct and Inefficiency,

Sindh govt orders FIR, suspends multiple officials

as opposition demands manslaughter cases

Staff Reporter

Karachi: The Sindh government on Monday suspended Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Director General Ishaque Khuhro over the tragic collapse of a five-storey residential building in Karachi’s Lyari area, which killed 27 people.

The structure on Fida Husain Shaikha Road in Lea Market came crashing down Friday morning. Rescue operations concluded Sunday. Authorities had already declared the building unsafe, with SBCA claiming it had issued multiple evacuation notices since 2023.

In a notification issued by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah, Khuhro’s services were suspended “with immediate effect for the reason of misconduct and inefficiency.” He will report to the Services, General Administration and Coordination Department during his suspension.

Shahmir Khan Bhutto, a Grade-20 officer and secretary at the CM’s Inspection and Enquiries Department, has been appointed as the new DG SBCA.

Sindh Ministers Vow Action, FIR Ordered

Speaking at a press conference, Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon said: “The chief minister has ordered the immediate suspension of the DG SBCA and directed the home minister to register an FIR against all responsible.”

Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani confirmed that the SBCA director, deputy director, and building inspectors assigned to Lyari were also suspended. He announced Rs1 million in compensation for the families of the victims.

Opposition Demands Manslaughter Charges

Opposition parties — PTI, MQM-P, and Jamaat-e-Islami — condemned the Sindh government and SBCA, blaming them for “criminal negligence.” They demanded immediate compensation, alternative housing for affected families, and registration of manslaughter cases against those responsible.

CM Forms Fact-Finding Committee Headed by Karachi Commissioner

Memon said Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah had taken “strict notice” and formed a fact-finding committee to determine responsibility. Initially given three days, the committee will now submit its findings in two days due to the Ashura holidays. Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi will lead the probe.

588 Dangerous Buildings in Karachi, 107 in Lyari Alone

Saeed Ghani revealed that 51 buildings in Karachi are “extremely fragile” and must be demolished immediately. He directed the city commissioner to submit data on occupants and ownership to begin the demolition process.

A broader assessment of 588 buildings marked as dangerous — including 107 in Lyari — will be completed within two weeks to decide which structures can be salvaged and which must be razed.

“All SBCA officers posted in Lyari since 2022 will be investigated,” Ghani added. “If any are found negligent, they will be included in the FIR.”

He also warned that if the inquiry finds that DG Khuhro ignored survey warnings during his 2022 tenure, he too will face legal consequences.