THE menace of dangerous buildings was increasing at an alarming rate in Karachi as out of 114 buildings declared dangerous by the KMC during the last 14 years … 90 were [still] posing a serious threat to the lives of over 25,000 people. Although 114 buildings — mostly multi-storey buildings — were declared dangerous by the KMC since 1962 … the concerned departments could demolish only 24 buildings so far. Demolition in respect of 36 dangerous buildings could not be undertaken because of legal complications caused by the suits filed either by the owners or the inmates of these dangerous buildings in the Civil Courts. Action in respect of another 54 buildings was pending for want of magistrates, police force and alternate accommodation to the inmates of the dangerous buildings. — Staff reporter

[Meanwhile, as reported by news agencies from Beirut], top-level Lebanese, Syrian and Palestinian leaders meeting … in central Lebanon today [Sept 19] failed to work out a formula to end the Lebanese war, the right-wing Christian Voice of Lebanon Radio reported… . The radio quoted Syrian Deputy Defence Minister Gen. Naji Jamil as saying that “the participants were not able to achieve positive results.”

Published in Dawn, September 20th, 2026