HYDERABAD: The Heritage Protection Committee (HPC) of Hyderabad district has urged the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to stop issuing NOCs or approving building plan / new construction / alterations within the entire 38-12-acre area of Pucca Qila sans the endorsement by the director general of Antiquities.

A letter to this effect was sent to the SBCA regional director soon after the HPC meeting on Monday.

The HPC has been formed in order to protect cultural heritage in Hyderabad district, especially in the City taluka, which basically covers such sites in the old city area.

The letter to the SBCA director general stated that no construction activity should occur within the 200ft area outside the fort’s boundary wall without the nod of the Antiquities DG.

The HPC had taken such decision at its Monday meeting chaired by City Assistant Commissioner Syed Noor Hussain. The latter stated that the HPC was formed by the Hyderabad deputy commissioner on Jan 15.

Heritage Protection Committee moves after reports of continued issuance of NOCs

The committee has established that the total area of Pucca Qila is 38-12 and the entire site is protected under the Antiquities Act, 1975. It has reproduced Section 22 of the Act in the letter dated Feb 23.

The letter had to be addressed to the SBCA after culture department’s officials informed the HPC that it (SBCA) had regularly been issuing NOCs for construction and approving layout plans for the sites situated around the Pucca Qila area.

The department is also engaged in legal battles over such approvals, which appeared to be in conflict with its rules and the laws relating to preservation of heritage.

The HPC was informed that a technical committee was also formed under the AC’s chairmanship in line with the directives passed in a civil suit (890/25) by the senior civil judge-VII regarding a plot within the fort. The case was filed by Shaikh Mohammad Imran through his attorney Shaikh Qasim after the court had set aside its own order passed in the suit No. 33/2025 in the plaintiff’s favour following submissions presented before court by officials of the culture department and district administration.

Mapping of encroachment at Pucca Qila

The HPC also discussed encroachments raised along the fort’s boundary and adjoining fortification wall. Certain portions of the fort have been declared ‘red zone’ due to its dilapidated state. The committee decided that the Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) would conduct a comprehensive survey to ascertain current position, total number of shops and structures, and names of their owners.

The committee further decided that a revenue team and the mukhtiarkar concerned would verify the position as per record and site survey. The team would submit a detailed report regarding encroachment at tajjar (ladies chamber) near the tomb of Kalhora dynasty ruler, Mian Ghulam Nabi Kalhoro, for which culture department has sought assistance of the administration for removal of encroachment.

A culture department official, Ms Sindhu Chandio, told the meeting that anti-encroachment operation should be initiated near the tomb.

AC Hussain informed the meeting that notices have been issued to those occupying the premises, requiring them to produce their documents. He has written to HMC’s assistant director, Katchi Abadis, requiring him to clarify boundaries of the plot No. 370 and 371, along with the tajjar, and carry out demarcation of properties at the site strictly as per the record.

Published in Dawn, February 25th, 2026