• Seeks detailed report from building authority on ‘violations’, reasons for ‘no action’
• Hall owners demand crackdown on mushrooming of ‘unsafe ballrooms’

KARACHI: Growing “complaints” about allegedly illegal issuance of no-objection certificates (NOCs) by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for marriage halls and marquees and the construction of commercial structures on amenity plots have prompted the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) to initiate an inquiry and seek a detailed report from the authority on “violations committed, financial loss to the national exchequer” and “reasons for its inaction”.

The move from the NAB came in “pursuant to a complaint” received by the bureau, which points out two major areas of violations allegedly by the SBCA.

A NAB letter to the SBCA chief refers to a brief summary of allegations about “illegal issuance of NOCs for construction of marriage halls/marquees” and “illegal construction of marriage halls on amenity plots”.

“You are once again required to submit a detailed report in respect of violations committed, loss caused to national exchequer and reasons for inaction on the part of SBCA regarding construction and operation of marriage halls in Karachi,” said the NAB letter to the SBCA chief, citing past requests to the authority which were never responded to.

The anti-graft body’s move coincides with the recent alarms raised by residents, activists and legal experts over the unchecked commercialisation of residential plots in Karachi.

It is feared that the move would worsen traffic congestion, cause pollution, lead to collapse of infrastructure and degrade the environment across the metropolis, which is already plagued by multiple civic issues.

Speaking at a press conference titled ‘Citizens Speak for a Liveable Karachi’, organised by the Karachi Citizens Foundation (KCF) last week at the Karachi Press Club, the speakers pointed out that the city’s sewerage infrastructure is already collapsing under existing pressure.

In such conditions, allowing commercialisation in residential areas will make things worse.

Responding to a question about the authority’s response to the NAB query, a SBCA spokesperson said that the building authority had already initiated a survey and was collecting data to compile a final report for the anti-graft body.

“Our team is collecting data from all districts of Karachi to identify the illegally raised marriage halls and marquees from all over the city. Once the report is finalised its details would also be shared with the relevant institutions,” he added.

The stakeholders, on the other hand, raised questions over the ongoing SBCA survey.

They say that everyone knows where and how illegal marriage halls have been constructed in the city yet the civic administration appears to be targeting those who are carrying out legitimate and lawful business activities.

Rana Raees Ahmed, President of the All Karachi Marriage Hall, Lawn and Banquet Owners Association, described the mushrooming of illegal ballrooms as “death traps”.

“There are around 200 such ballrooms which are built on ground or mezzanine floors of multi-storey flats,” he said.

“With no safe structures, no fire exits and no safety measures in place, these venues are nothing short of death traps where even a minor incident can lead to massive financial losses and loss of lives. Under whose watchful eye are these being built? On the other hand, our legitimate members and those running lawful businesses are required to submit documents, complete formalities and make repeated rounds of government offices, all in the name of a NAB inquiry.”

With around 800 members having “legitimate and lawful businesses” of marriage halls and banquets, he said his association appreciated the NAB inquiry, calling it need of the hour.

Published in Dawn, June 1st, 2026