Sindh Senior Minister for Information, Transport, and Mass Transit Sharjeel Inam Memon expressed profound grief over the recent tragedy in Lyari, where a building collapsed. He stated that the nation, Sindh government, and public are deeply saddened by the incident. In an emergency meeting chaired by the Chief Minister of Sindh, it was decided to take strict action against the officials responsible for the negligence that led to this tragedy.

Addressing a press conference with Sindh Interior Minister Zia-ul-Hassan Lanjar, Local Government and Labour Minister Saeed Ghani, and Excise, Taxation, and Narcotics Control Minister Mukesh Kumar Chawla, Memon announced the immediate suspension of the Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). A probe committee, led by the Karachi Commissioner, has been formed to submit a report within two days. The committee is tasked with demolishing 51 critically dilapidated buildings and inspecting 588 others deemed unsafe.

Minister Saeed Ghani revealed that affected families in Lyari will receive Rs1 million each as compensation. All SBCA officials posted in the area since 2022 will face an inquiry, with legal action against those found negligent. Interior Minister Lanjar termed the incident a “major tragedy” and vowed to arrest those responsible for criminal negligence.

In response to the questions, the senior minister clarified that both cantonment boards and the Sindh government have their own regulations, and the chief minister has ordered stringent action against all involved. He added that the government is addressing issues in informal settlements, with 740 buildings requiring minor repairs, and assured that relocating residents poses no challenge, citing past arrangements for COVID-19 and flood victims.

Minister Saeed Ghani highlighted illegal constructions as a serious issue in Karachi, emphasizing that SBCA is responsible for preventing them. He noted that amendments to SBCA laws are underway, with proposals sought within two weeks to address illegal and unsafe buildings effectively. The government is also considering whether SBCA or a private entity should handle demolitions, with legal actions to follow based on the committee’s recommendations.