KARACHI: Sindh High Court (SHC) has ordered the immediate demolition of a seven-storey building in Lyari built on 96 square yards.
The court summoned Director-General Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) in person and instructed him to submit a compliance report within seven days. The court also stopped the issuance of power, water and gas utility connections to the building portion in Lyari’s Agra Taj Colony.
During the hearing, the petitioner Ashfaq Ahmed said residents of the area were facing numerous problems due to new constructions and sewerage lines have been blocked. He requested the court to order the demolition of the structure on Plot 232 located in lane E-17 of the Agra Taj Colony.
Justice Hassan Azhar Rizvi while hearing the case remarked that up to eight floors are being built at portions of plots at Agra Taj. The court issued notices to builders Suleman, Naeem Haider and Talha. It ordered that the building should be demolished immediately and summoned the DG SBCA with a report within seven days.
On November 10 last year, the high court bench had heard a petition about the illegal construction of a seven-storey building in Lyari.
The bench questioned how these structures were built without connivance from SBCA officials. Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput remarked the SBCA failed to submit its reply in the last three-and-half years.
He remarked a seven-storey building built in the area where buildings above ground plus two are not allowed. He observed the builder does not even have permission to build ground-plus-two structures which is not possible without approval from SBCA officials. The court had ordered to seal the illegal structure and initiate action against the builder within a week.
