In his first visit to the offices of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and Karachi Building Authority, Sindh Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani emphasized the imperative of zero tolerance towards illegal constructions in Karachi. Ghani underscored the detrimental impact of unauthorized buildings on urban orderliness during his meeting with officials of the two civic agencies. Ghani directed SBCA officials to take decisive and impartial action against those involved in illegal construction activities. He asserted that the area’s additional director would be held accountable if any unauthorized construction occurred henceforth in Karachi. Furthermore, Ghani mandated that building inspectors regularly certify the absence of illegal constructions within their jurisdictions. Emphasizing the need for clear procedures to assign responsibility for illegal constructions, Ghani urged punctuality, honesty, and politeness among SBCA officials to enhance the agency’s public image. Additionally, he advocated for a public awareness campaign to dissuade people from purchasing properties involved in unauthorized construction. SBCA Director-General Abdul Rasheed Solangi briefed Ghani on the agency’s efficiency in processing construction-related applications, highlighting an 88% approval rate for building plans. Solangi also informed Ghani about the streamlined one-window operation for residential building approvals and the functional complaint cell aiding individuals with construction-related issues. In a separate meeting at the Karachi Development Authority (KDA) head office, Ghani emphasized the swift transfer of completed development schemes to the KMC and urged the Traffic Engineering Bureau to propose measures for improving the city’s traffic system.
