Safety First: Sindh Government Launches Major Operation to Evacuate 588 Dangerous Buildings; New Housing Plans for Affected Residents Announced
Adnan Athar
Karachi,
Meeting held under the chairmanship of Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi and senior officials attended and briefed the meeting
Decision on priority measures for rehabilitation of occupants of 59 evacuated buildings
General survey of 471 out of 588 dangerous buildings completed; decision to conduct technical surveys
Karachi: The Government has decided to take priority measures for the evacuation and demolition of dangerous buildings and for providing housing to affected residents. Provincial Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah chaired a high-level meeting on Thursday at the office of the Commissioner Karachi.
The meeting decided to expedite the evacuation of unsafe buildings, demolish those already evacuated, and take priority steps for the rehabilitation of affected people. The Provincial Minister emphasized the urgent need for immediate efforts to evacuate dangerous buildings and rehabilitate affected residents in order to safeguard lives and ensure dignified and safe housing.
Commissioner Karachi Syed Hassan Naqvi briefed the Provincial Minister and informed him that Assistant Commissioners have completed the general survey of 471 out of 588 highly dangerous buildings. Through the survey, all necessary information regarding ownership, occupants, and housing units has been collected.
The meeting decided to take priority measures for the rehabilitation of residents affected by the evacuation of 59 buildings. It was decided that flats will be constructed at suitable locations for the rehabilitation of affected persons. The meeting was informed that assistance will also be sought from ABAD and Saylani in this regard.
The meeting further decided to conduct technical surveys of the 588 highly dangerous buildings as well as other unsafe buildings. Syed Nasir Hussain Shah stated that similar surveys of dangerous buildings are also needed in Hyderabad, Sukkur, and other cities of Sindh. He directed the Sindh Building Control Authority to carry out a comprehensive survey of unsafe buildings and to include other cities in its scope.
The meeting decided that, in a phased manner, all old and ancient buildings located in different areas of Karachi will be included in the survey. It reaffirmed the decision to conduct technical surveys of the 588 dangerous buildings.
The meeting was attended by Secretary Local Government Rafiq Qureshi, Director General Sindh Building Control Authority Muzammil Hussain Halepoto, Deputy Commissioner South Javed Nabi Khoso, ABAD representative Owais Thanvi, representatives of the Pakistan Engineering Council, Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners, and other officials.
