SBCA revives town-wise system to strengthen action against illegal construction

The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has reinstated a town-based administrative system in Karachi, replacing the district-level arrangement that had remained in place since 2010.

Under the revised structure, the authority has reorganised its operations across Karachi’s 25 towns, appointing directors, deputy directors, assistant directors and senior building inspectors to oversee matters at the local level.

The SBCA said the move is aimed at strengthening building regulation, curbing unauthorised construction and ensuring greater transparency in administrative affairs.

The authority’s new setup covers Baldia, Chanesar, Gadap, Mominabad, Mauripur, Nazimabad, North Karachi, North Nazimabad, Orangi, Saddar, Safura, Shah Faisal, Sohrab Goth, Gulberg, Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Ibrahim Hyderi, Jinnah, Korangi, Landhi, Liaquatabad, Lyari, Malir, Manghopir and Model Colony.

According to the SBCA, the town-level arrangement is expected to improve enforcement of building rules and facilitate the timely resolution of public complaints.

The system was previously operational during the tenures of former Karachi nazims Naimatullah Khan and Mustafa Kamal, when the city was divided into 18 towns.

However, in 2010, following the appointment of Manzoor Qadir as the SBCA director general, the authority abandoned the town-based arrangement and adopted a district-level administrative structure.