Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has released its Annual Performance Report for 2024, showcasing record-breaking operations against illegal constructions and significant progress in urban development initiatives. According to SBCA spokesperson Shakeel Dogar, the authority took extensive and impartial actions under the guidance of the Sindh Government and Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani.
Over the past year, the SBCA demolished or took legal action against more than 1,500 illegal constructions across Sindh, including Karachi’s seven districts. These operations, many carried out in compliance with court orders, marked an unprecedented crackdown. Over 200 legal petitions were resolved, and several officials implicated in illegal activities faced suspension, with investigations ongoing. To enhance transparency, the SBCA mandated the installation of QR codes at under-construction sites, providing public access to project details and ensuring adherence to regulations.
In 2024, the SBCA approved 2,652 building plans, encompassing industrial, commercial, and residential projects. A single-window approval system was introduced to expedite the process, while penalties for delayed payments on industrial plans were waived to encourage compliance. These measures helped restore public trust in the authority. A Technical Committee of expert construction engineers identified 743 dangerous or dilapidated buildings across Sindh, including 591 in Karachi.
The committee conducted timely inspections, particularly addressing buildings affected by accidental fires in Karachi. Director General Abdul Rasheed Solangi spearheaded reforms to improve departmental efficiency. The long-delayed Departmental Promotion Committee (DPC) process was revived, resulting in the promotion of 72 officers and staff from grades 14 to 18. Additionally, the Hajj scheme, suspended in previous years, was reinstated, enabling 17 employees to perform Hajj with full expenses covered through a transparent balloting system. In collaboration with the ABAD and district administration, SBCA initiated beautification projects. Streets and buildings along Shahrah-e-Faisal were transformed, earning widespread public appreciation. Inspired by this success, similar beautification plans are being developed for the Korangi Industrial Area.
