SBCA orders evacuation of 589 unsafe buildings across Karachi

The Sindh Building Control Authority has declared 589 buildings in Karachi dangerous and asked occupants to vacate them immediately, warning that the structures face a heightened risk during the monsoon season.

The evacuation list covers residential and commercial properties across the city, including 117 protected heritage buildings. In its notices, the authority said these structures could suffer serious damage in this year’s rains and warned that if people chose to remain and any loss of life or property followed, the SBCA would not be responsible.

South district accounts for most buildings

Of the total, 447 buildings are in Karachi South, 37 in Central, 28 in Keamari, 18 in Korangi, 16 in East, five in Malir and two in West. In Central district, 56 buildings are in Liaquatabad, six in Gulberg and nine in North Nazimabad.

Within South district, the highest concentrations include 97 buildings in Lyari Quarters, 40 in Rambagh Quarters, 37 each in Ranchore Line Quarters and Saddar Bazaar Quarters, 35 in Saddar Old Town Quarters, 32 in Napier Quarters, 21 in Sarai Quarters, 19 in Ramswamy Quarters, 16 each in Ghulam Hussain Qasim, Preedy and Lawrence Quarters, 14 in Artillery Maidan, 12 in Market Quarters, 11 in Wadhumal Odharam Quarters, 10 each in Thailaram Quarters and Clifton, and seven on M.A. Jinnah Road.

Among the known properties named on the list are PIDC Officers Flats in Bath Island, the ADC’s bungalow in Governor House Karachi, Humayun House near Mama Parsi School, Government College for Women, Abdullah Haroon College, Jabees Hotel, KMC Sweeper Quarters, Bambino Cinema, Rampa Plaza, Zainab Market Saddar and Bolton Market.

Residents and experts question process

The move has drawn concern from residents who say some of the marked buildings appear structurally sound. Muhammad Ali, a resident of Ramswami Quarters, said some buildings in his area had been told to vacate even though “most of them are in good condition.”

In Lyari, Bahar Colony resident Saqlain Altaf said some buildings were genuinely hazardous, but questioned whether notices alone would achieve evacuation. He asked, “Did the government consider where the residents of these buildings will go if they are forced to leave?”

Urban planning specialists also raised questions about how the assessment was carried out. Farhan Anwar, Associate Professor of Practice at Habib University, said it was important to know whether any study had been conducted before the buildings were declared unsafe, asking, “If a study was carried out, who conducted it?”

Zahid Farooq, Joint Director of the Urban Resource Centre, said the SBCA lacked enough expert staff to inspect such a large number of buildings properly. He said, “Who would want to live with their family in a dangerous building? Even if some buildings are genuinely unsafe, the government should first arrange alternative accommodation before evacuating them.”

Architect Yasmeen Lari said not every old structure should automatically be emptied or razed, arguing that repair and conservation remain possible. She said buildings dating back centuries are preserved in developed countries and asked, “Karachi's old areas contain buildings from the 19th century; why can't they also be repaired and preserved?”