Building collapse crisis looms in Karachi

A five-storey building in Karachi’s Lyari area collapsed in the first week of this month, killing 27 people — men and women of all ages — and injuring about a dozen others. It took rescue teams more than 50 hours to complete the operation, amid reports of poor coordination among the various agencies involved.

As public outrage grew over the failure of building regulators and civic watchdogs, Sindh chief minister announced that a detailed inquiry had been launched and those responsible would be brought to justice. However, by the time of writing this piece, there was no official update on the findings or actions taken, apart from the suspension of two Building Control officials.

Lyari has suffered similar tragedies before: in 2011 and 2020, two major collapses killed 55 people in total, with sporadic incidents reported in other years. Authorities have, from time to time, declared some 480 buildings in Karachi’s old city areas as dangerous or unfit for living, issuing repeated evacuation notices. Yet, there is no systematic record — let alone enforcement — against the countless illegal or substandard structures scattered across the metropolis housing more than 20 million people.

The perception is widespread: Karachi is dotted with death traps — both crumbling century-old buildings and shoddy high-rises thrown up over the past four decades. Their continued existence is a stark reflection of official apathy and the tacit complicity of those who should be safeguarding public safety. The latest Lyari disaster, like many others before it, demands a serious, transparent, and lasting follow-up.

Illegal constructions — in both residential and industrial areas — have plagued Karachi and other cities of Sindh for decades. Yet, the issue remains largely unaddressed, while citizens continue to bear the devastating human and developmental costs of inaction.

If the government truly recognises the gravity of this crisis, it must do more than conducting inquiries after each tragedy. A comprehensive, consensus-based action plan is needed — not just for regulating new constructions but also for securing or replacing dangerous buildings already housing thousands of people.

Each year, as part of its pre-monsoon routine, the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) releases a list of “dangerous” buildings across the province, warning owners and residents to vacate and demolish them. In Karachi, these are concentrated in areas such as Saddar, Keamari, Malir, and Liaquatabad. But the SBCA notices are rarely taken seriously — not by the authorities tasked with enforcement, nor by the people expected to comply. Demolition rates remain dismally low, making it clear that rules and decisions need urgent review. Nothing is more valuable than human life.

For any real success, socio-economic realities must be factored in. Many residents refuse to leave unsafe buildings simply because they have nowhere else to go. There is no legal mechanism for providing alternative housing, nor is there support for owners unable to afford relocation or reconstruction. The government must address these gaps — whether through incentives, partnerships, or voluntary reconstruction schemes that resettle original occupants with improved facilities.

Yes, there are limitations. But the misery, desperation, and legitimate concerns of both residents and owners cannot be brushed aside. Ignoring them means condemning Karachi to repeat this cycle of collapse, loss, and neglect.

Social Track/editorial (July 25, 2025)

File photos courtesy: ST