KARACHI – Sindh’s Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon has said the provincial government cannot provide housing to all residents living in fragile buildings, due to limited resources and the growing number of dangerous structures. He noted that out of 740 unsafe buildings across Sindh, 51 are extremely hazardous, with only 11 evacuated so far.
Speaking on Geo News’ “Geo Pakistan” program, Memon explained that although the government cannot offer permanent housing to everyone, temporary shelter could be provided to some families, as done during floods and the COVID-19 crisis. He added that the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has started demolishing unstable buildings around the recent Lyari collapse site.
Meanwhile, the government launched an investigation into the tragic Lyari building collapse, which claimed at least 27 lives. A five-member inquiry committee has been formed under Karachi Commissioner Hassan Naqvi. The team includes local government and SBCA officials, and it has been ordered to submit a report within 48 hours, identifying the cause and those responsible.
Governor Sindh Kamran Tessori also addressed the incident, announcing the removal of the SBCA director general. He stressed that real change required system-wide reform, not just replacing individuals. Tessori revealed that 80-square-yard plots would be allocated for the affected families and urged the government to pay six months’ rent and build homes for them in the same area.
However, the Association of Builders and Developers (ABAD) rejected the inquiry committee, calling it biased and ineffective. ABAD Chairman Hassan Bakshi said those responsible could not be the ones investigating, and urged Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah to personally lead the committee. He also criticized the Rs1 million compensation, calling it insufficient.
On Monday, Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani said the inquiry committee would also prepare a report on 51 other dangerously dilapidated buildings in Karachi. He confirmed that demolitions would follow a detailed survey, aiming to prevent further tragedies like the one that shook Lyari.