SC orders authorities to demolish all illegal constructions in Karachi

Directing the metropolitan's local government to restore Karachi to its 40-year-old state, the Supreme Court has ordered to demolish all illegal constructions across the port city.

A two-member bench comprising Justice Gulzar Ahmed and Justice Sajid Ali Shah took up the case today regarding illegal constructions in Karachi, local media reported. During the hearing, the SC also barred the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) from issuing no-objection certificates (NOC) for the construction of commercial buildings.

It has directed the SBCA not to grant NOC unless they were approved by the Environmental Protection Agency. The apex court has also forbidden construction of wedding halls and shopping malls on residential plots.

The bench also remarked that if the local government could not implement the court's orders, then it should let the Sindh government to take over. The SC has also directed the provincial government to submit their recommendations on restoring Karachi to its 40-year-old state.