• Probe finds historical property in Bath Island razed illegally
• CS issues show cause to SBCA director general
• Orders citywide survey of all heritage structures

KARACHI: An inquiry report has exposed a nexus between the builder mafia and officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), revealing a deliberate violation of law leading to the unlawful demolition of a protected heritage site named ‘Kharas House’ in Bath Island, Clifton.

The investigation ordered by Sindh Chief Secretary Asif Hyder Shah not only unearthed severe irregularities, but also pointed out coordinated efforts by government officials and the private owner of the building to demolish the historical structure under the guise of a legal process.

After the investigation, the chief secretary ordered an FIR against senior SBCA officials and the owner of the property.

The chief secretary also issued a “show-cause notice” to the SBCA director general Ishaq Khuhro, asking him to explain his position on the matter by Wednesday [today].

He also instructed the culture department to immediately begin a citywide survey and mapping of all declared heritage buildings in Karachi.

Chief Minister Syed Murad Ali Shah also reviewed the findings of the inquiry report and expressed grave concern over demolition of a protected building.

The chief minister vowed strict accountability and pledged to protect “Sindh’s rich cultural and architectural legacy”.

Last month, the chief secretary had directed the Karachi commissioner to conduct a detailed inquiry into the matter and issued directives that if any irregularity was detected, strict action must be taken against the responsible individuals and officials.

A statement issued by the chief secretary office on Tuesday said that the commissioner submitted an inquiry report, which brought to light severe irregularities, deliberate violations, and a nexus between government officials and the private owner aimed at unlawful demolition of the heritage building.

The Kharas House, located at Plot No. FT-4/14, Bath Island Road, Clifton, and officially declared a protected heritage property in 2018 under the Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, was unlawfully razed to the ground during the Eid holidays — timed strategically to avoid oversight when government offices were closed.

The move, which shocked conservationists, drew widespread condemnation.

According to the commissioner report, the SBCA bypassed all mandatory procedures by issuing a demolition permit without obtaining clearance from the culture department.

The inquiry found that the SBCA technical committee on dangerous buildings initiated the demolition process on January 4, 2024, without involving professional regulatory bodies such as the Pakistan Council for Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) and the Association of Builders and Developers (Abad).

The inquiry also exposed how the SBCA later tried to retroactively justify the demolition by citing an irrelevant court case (Suit No. 666 of 2024), a defence the report flatly rejected as “baseless”.

Tactics to cover up the wrongdoing included backdated correspondence, delayed notices, and misdirection to other departments. Notably, the statement issued by the chief secretary office said, the demolition was first intercepted not by the SBCA or the culture department, but by the deputy commissioner of south, who attempted to halt the illegal activity.

The SBCA, meanwhile, scrambled to cancel permissions and issued backdated notices — steps that came too late to prevent the demolition.

In response to the report’s findings, the chief secretary ordered criminal proceedings against key officials, including Ashfaq Hussain (director south, SBCA), Agha Kashif (deputy director south, SBCA), and building owner Ms Kanja.

FIRs are being registered, and the matter has been referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment (ACE) for a thorough investigation. Immediate suspension of the implicated officials has also been recommended to ensure transparency.

Regarding SBCA chief, the CS issued a show-cause notice, stating: “As per report of the Commissioner, Karachi Division, you being head of the Sindh Building Control Authority failed to protect Heritage Buildings. Besides, you did not cooperate into the matter and also failed to attend the meeting despite clear-cut instructions.”

The disciplinary action has also been ordered against the deputy director (heritage), culture department, for negligence in safeguarding the site.

Published in Dawn, May 7th, 2025