Karachi Building Collapse: 27 Dead as Sindh Government Faces Pressure Over Unsafe Structures
KARACHI – The tragic collapse of a five-storey building in Karachi’s Lyari neighbourhood has claimed 27 lives, prompting renewed scrutiny of unsafe residential structures across the city. As rescue operations concluded on Sunday, evacuation efforts continue in the surrounding areas, with residents being moved out of similarly dangerous buildings.
Government Says Housing All At-Risk Residents “Not Possible”
Speaking to Geo News on Wednesday, Sindh Senior Minister Sharjeel Inam Memon stated that it would not be feasible for the provincial government to provide housing to all individuals living in dilapidated buildings.
“There are 740 such structures across Sindh, with 51 buildings deemed to be in an ‘extremely dangerous’ condition,” he said. “Eleven of those have already been vacated, and the rest will be cleared within 48 hours for residents’ safety.”
Memon added that while the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) had issued multiple notices urging residents to vacate the Lyari building since 2023, many chose to remain. The minister emphasized that there is no legal obligation for the government to provide alternative housing in such cases, though temporary shelters may be provided in exceptional humanitarian circumstances.
Official Suspensions and Compensation Announced
In response to the tragedy, the Sindh government has suspended SBCA Director General Ishaque Khuhro along with other key officials, including the director, deputy director, and inspectors responsible for Lyari.
Local Government Minister Saeed Ghani confirmed the action, while also announcing Rs1 million in compensation for the families of the deceased.
Political Reactions and Public Outrage
Major opposition parties, including the Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI), Muttahida Qaumi Movement-Pakistan (MQM-P), and Jamaat-e-Islami, have strongly criticized the provincial government and SBCA, accusing them of “criminal negligence.”
They have demanded:
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Registration of manslaughter cases against responsible officials
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Immediate compensation and alternative housing for the affected families
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A comprehensive review of building safety regulations and enforcement
A History of Fatal Building Collapses in Karachi
This latest incident is part of a troubling trend in the city:
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April 2024: A three-storey building collapse in Bhains Colony killed a 10-year-old girl.
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October 2023: Five people died in Shah Faisal Colony due to an under-construction building collapse.
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June 2020: A Lyari residential building collapsed, killing 22 residents.
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March 2020: A structure in Gulbahar collapsed, resulting in 27 deaths.
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2011: 33 lives were lost in a similar incident in Lyari’s Musa Lane area.
What’s Next?
As calls for accountability and reform grow louder, the Sindh government faces increasing pressure to strengthen oversight, enforce evacuation orders, and invest in safer urban housing. The disaster in Lyari has reignited urgent discussions around urban planning, infrastructure safety, and public welfare in one of Pakistan’s most densely populated cities.
