From Watchdog to Lapdog: SBCA’s Identity Crisis

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Rana Qamar

The incorrigible Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) is learning a hard lesson with each court hearing on illegal construction in Karachi. The Supreme Court, in particular, is discovering the authority’s knack for neglecting its primary duty of ensuring compliance with building and town planning regulations across the province.

Just like countless previous hearings, the apex court once again admonished the top brass of the SBCA on Tuesday for their inertness in the face of unscrupulous builders exploiting Karachi’s precious real estate without any regard for the rules.

True to form, the authority, in its typical fashion, continues to evade responsibility and stall when confronted with petitions against unlawful construction in various areas of the city.

The two-judge bench didn’t hold back, pointing out the SBCA’s utter failure to account for the emergence of these structures without approved building plans. They emphasized the complete breakdown in the authority’s administration, leaving no room for excuses.

It seems that the SBCA has become synonymous with inefficiency and ineptitude when it comes to curbing illegal construction. Despite repeated admonishments from the judiciary, the authority persistently fails to take decisive action against violators. This not only undermines the rule of law but also contributes to the haphazard growth and urban decay that plagues Karachi.

The sorry state of affairs raises questions about the SBCA’s integrity and its commitment to upholding building regulations. How can an authority tasked with safeguarding the interests of the public and ensuring orderly development allow rampant encroachments and unauthorized constructions?

One cannot help but wonder if the SBCA is deliberately turning a blind eye to the malpractices of influential builders who flout the law with impunity. The inaction and lack of accountability displayed by the authority only fuel suspicions of corruption and collusion.

It is high time for the SBCA to break free from its apathetic approach and demonstrate a genuine commitment to its responsibilities. The authority must streamline its processes, strengthen its enforcement mechanisms, and hold those responsible for illegal construction accountable.

Furthermore, there is a pressing need for a comprehensive review of the SBCA’s structure and functioning. Reforms should be introduced to eliminate bureaucratic hurdles and expedite the approval process for building plans. By promoting transparency and efficiency, the authority can restore public trust and regain its lost credibility.

The Supreme Court’s repeated admonitions should serve as a wake-up call for the SBCA. It is not enough to merely acknowledge the problem; concrete action is required to rectify the situation. Karachi deserves an accountable and proactive authority that can effectively manage and regulate the city’s construction activities.

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The bitter truth is that the SBCA has transformed into a cesspool of corruption, where anything and everything is attainable for the right price.

The unbridled commercialization of Karachi’s real estate, which generates handsome profits for select politicians and bureaucrats, is exerting unbearable strain on the city’s already crumbling civic infrastructure, resulting in a complete breakdown of service delivery.

Curiously enough, the regulatory body occasionally goes through the motions of feigning compliance with the law by issuing warnings and notices, but when it comes to taking concrete action, it conveniently does nothing.

Back in 2019, when a Supreme Court bench imposed a ban on converting residential and amenity plots into commercial spaces throughout Karachi, the SBCA compiled an extensive list of at least 915 such sites.

With much fanfare, it promptly announced an immediate halt to such conversions and pledged to demolish or seal these unauthorized sites to honor the court’s directives. However, true to its well-established reputation as a “friend” of the land mafia, the SBCA chose to rest on its laurels and took no further action.

The SBCA’s brazen disregard for the rule of law and its cozy relationship with powerful land grabbers is a slap in the face of justice. The authority’s hollow gestures of compliance only serve to perpetuate the deep-rooted corruption and lawlessness that plague Karachi’s real estate sector.

It is a tragic irony that an institution entrusted with the responsibility of upholding regulations and safeguarding public interest has become complicit in the very malpractices it is supposed to curb. This symbiotic relationship between the SBCA and the land mafia not only undermines the city’s development but also perpetuates inequality and injustice.

Karachi, a city already grappling with numerous challenges, cannot afford to bear the burden of a corrupt and inept regulatory body. The unchecked exploitation of valuable land resources not only compromises the integrity of the city’s urban planning but also exacerbates the socio-economic divide.

It is high time for the SBCA to shed its tarnished image and rise above the quagmire of corruption. The authority must demonstrate unwavering resolve in tackling illegal conversions and unauthorized constructions. It needs to shed its complacency and actively enforce the law, without succumbing to the pressures of vested interests.

Moreover, there is an urgent need for comprehensive reforms within the SBCA to ensure transparency, accountability, and efficiency. The authority should adopt a proactive approach by leveraging technology and data analytics to identify and deter unlawful activities. It must also foster closer collaboration with law enforcement agencies to dismantle the networks of corruption that have infiltrated the real estate sector.

The Supreme Court’s consistent scrutiny and admonitions should serve as a catalyst for the SBCA to introspect and reform itself. The authority must reinvent its role as a guardian of the city’s urban landscape, prioritizing the interests of the citizens over the vested interests of a few.

In conclusion, the SBCA’s transformation into a hotbed of corruption and its failure to uphold building regulations and protect public interest are grave concerns. Karachi deserves a regulatory body that is resolute, impartial, and committed to combating the rampant exploitation of its real estate resources. The SBCA must break free from the shackles of corruption, take decisive action against violators, and restore faith in its ability to ensure a sustainable and equitable urban environment for all. Only then can Karachi reclaim its rightful place as a thriving and well-governed metropolis.

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