How many buildings are declared unsafe in Karachi?
District South worst affected with 456 structures marked unfit for residence
July 04, 2025
KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has declared 578 buildings in Karachi as unsafe and unfit for habitation, with the highest concentration — 456 structures — located in District South.
SBCA's internal report highlights a grim picture of densely populated areas like Lyari and the Old City Area, where 107 dangerous buildings have been identified.
Other districts also face risk: Central (66), Keamari (23), Korangi (14), East (13), Malir (4), and West (2).
Despite the alarming figures, SBCA’s response has been limited to issuing notices and putting up warning banners, raising serious concerns about enforcement.
According to insiders, no effective action has been taken to evacuate residents from these structurally compromised buildings.
Geo News has learned that the five-storey building, which collapsed in Lyari’s Baghdadi area on Friday morning, was built in 1975 and housed over 40 people.
SBCA claims it issued formal evacuation notices two years ago, and on 25 June 2025, also sent notices to K-Electric and the Water Board to disconnect utility services — but neither the connections were cut nor was the building vacated.
Experts stress that notices and banners alone are not enough. They urge the Sindh government to ensure the immediate evacuation of such buildings and provide temporary housing for displaced residents to prevent future tragedies.
