KARACHI: The National Accountability Bureau in the light of evidences of illegal structures on ground, role of individuals of Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) in organised proportion scam of about 100 billion rupees, and its perilous effects on society at large has recommended the 39 notorious characters mentioned in its report to be dealt accordingly by putting their names in the exit control list including govt. officers. These officials must be removed/ terminated from service.  

Scrutiny Committee report for NAB matters has been made viral according to informed sources. The competent authority had authorized an inquiry under Section 9(a) and Section 10 of the National Accountability Ordinance, 1999, against the accused involved in corruption, including the present DG Ishaq Khuhro and former DG Abdul Rasheed Solangi and others. On March 28, 2025, NAB officials submitted their 312-page enquiry report as a charge sheet against the mentioned officers to the Chief Secretary Sindh for information and record.

The subject of NAB's final inquiry report is the involvement of officers/officials of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) Karachi and other individuals in approving illegal constructions and building plans against building regulations for personal gain in an organized manner. According to the details, this report notes that Muhammad Ishaq Khuhro has been appointed as Director General of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) for the third time. He faces serious allegations of corruption, misuse of authority, and promoting illegal constructions. The mentioned report identifies him as the central figure in running the "Patta System" (extortionist). This involves approving illegal floors, commercial use, and constructions against the master plan in collusion with the mafia in exchange for bribes.

After several complaints and media reports, this investigative report was prepared covering the period from September 1st, 2023, to April 2025. In it, the accused are charged with: (1) SBCA officers, in collusion with others, approving illegal constructions in exchange for bribes. (2) Violating KBTPR 2002 (amended) and construction bylaws. (3) Destroying urban planning by violating the master plan and zonal boundaries. (4) Promoting rapid illegal constructions through the "Patta System" and gaining large-scale financial benefits. (5) Partially demolishing constructions to show, but later remaining silent on the reconstruction of illegal structures. (6) Allowing encroachments on drainage systems and other public spaces. (7) Corruption in the use of Karachi's master plan and residential areas.

According to report, over 6000 illegal constructions took place in Karachi during the last 20 months, while only about 3000 demolition operations were carried out, most of which were fictitious and done just to fill the files.

The officers involved in illegal constructions in Korangi district include Deputy Director Ahsan Idris, and Agha Jahangir, while Building Inspectors Kashif and Shahbaz Hussain's names were included. According to report, Deputy Director Ahsan Idris and Building Inspector Kashif had managed to maintain their postings in the same district for over 20 years. Therefore, they get work done through both legitimate and illegitimate means. Higher authorities also prefer to keep them in Korangi district because they want their own officers for collecting extortion money.

Published in The Daily National Courier, April, 16 2025

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