THE Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has finally withdrawn its noti-fication dated March 13 that had amended building laws and town planning regu-lations to give blank permission to commercial establishments illegally operating in residential areas of Karachi.

The controversial notification has been withdrawn on strong opposition and criticism from civil society and concerned citizens. The conversion of land use, particularly from low density to high density and residential to commercial areas, has seen an alarming rise during the last couple of years in Karachi.

There has been massive growth of shops, schools, colleges, restaurants, clinics, hospitals, bakers, eateries, offices, beauty parlours and recreational clubs misusing the spaces specifically earmarked for residential purposes. There are examples of even universities and medical colleges functioning in 1,000 square-yard houses in residential areas located along narrow roads, creating traffic chaos and nuisance all around.

Though the notification has been withdrawn, it is a bitter fact that the SBCA has failed as the regulatory authority in taking any action against rampant illegal use of land. Commercial activities on residential premises are continuing unchecked and unabated that have resulted in traffic congestion, encroachments, illegal occupation of roads, pressure on utilities, strain on solid waste collection mechanism, and insufficient parking spaces.

This corruption has had a significant impact on the city’s infrastructure, causing environmental degradation. Late-night commercial activities in the case of eateries represent a permanent nuisance for the people living in such neighbourhoods.

It is time the authorities, especially the SBCA, woke up from their slumber, and took stern action against violations of land use regulations, invoking the relevant laws to avoid threats to existing infrastructure and urban environment.

Shams Jafrani
Karachi

Published in Dawn, July 29th, 2025