Karachi Division

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
Federal Minister for Communications Abdul Aleem Khan has directed the National Highway Authority (NHA) to accelerate the completion of ongoing and pending infrastructure projects across Sindh, warning that delays will not be tolerated.
Chairing a high level review meeting at the NHA Regional Office in Karachi, the minister was briefed on the progress of major highway schemes in the province. Discussions centered on resolving administrative bottlenecks and addressing security challenges to ensure smooth and timely execution of projects.
A detailed review of key national routes, including N-5, N-55, N-120, N-110, as well as the strategically important M-6 Motorway, was conducted. The minister also issued directives to improve bridge infrastructure and enhance the efficiency of the toll tax collection system.
Emphasizing quality and accountability, Aleem Khan stated that no compromise would be made on construction standards and transparency. He approved the formation of special teams to tackle project related issues and instructed officials to submit weekly progress reports.
The minister further directed that all future toll plazas in Sindh adopt a uniform design to facilitate commuters. He also announced performance based incentives for NHA staff to encourage efficiency and timely delivery.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to modernizing infrastructure, he called for better procurement practices and improved contract management, particularly for the M-6 Motorway project.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Municipal Commissioner of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) has informed the Judicial Commission investigating the Gul Plaza fire tragedy that no approval was ever granted for any change in the building’s land use.
In a written response submitted before the commission, the municipal commissioner stated that the clarification was provided after a thorough internal review of official records. The commission had earlier sought an explanation regarding the building’s land status.
According to the reply, a report from the KMC Director Land also confirmed that there is no record of any such approval. It was further maintained that since the land came under KMC’s administrative control, no change in its status has been documented in official records.
The response emphasized that the findings were based on a detailed examination of the Land Department’s record and clarified that no other legal proceedings would be affected by this position.
Meanwhile, the Senior Member of the Board of Revenue (BoR) has also submitted a separate report to the Judicial Commission, detailing the ownership and record of the Gul Plaza land. The report stated that the plot originally belongs to the provincial government, while KMC only exercised limited administrative and financial authority over it.
It further noted that no audit or review is available on record regarding compliance with the original land use conditions. The BoR’s findings were compiled using records from the District Registrar Karachi, Deputy Director Lands KMC, and Mukhtiarkar Saddar.
According to the report, the land, measuring approximately 8,128 square yards, was initially recorded as property of the Karachi municipality.

Karachi | ReNews Pakistan
The Sindh government has ordered immediate action against dangerous and dilapidated buildings across Karachi, directing authorities to ensure the prompt evacuation of residents and the demolition of unsafe structures to prevent potential loss of life and property.
The directive was issued during a high-level meeting chaired by Sindh Minister for Local Government Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, attended by senior officials from the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and other relevant departments. The meeting reviewed the condition of hazardous buildings in the city and assessed risks posed to residents and nearby areas.
Reaffirming the government’s commitment to public safety, the minister stated that protecting lives and property remains the top priority and warned that any negligence would not be tolerated. He instructed authorities to carry out identification, evacuation, and demolition operations in a coordinated and transparent manner.
Officials were also directed to accelerate the digitisation of building records to improve monitoring and help identify unsafe and illegal structures more efficiently. The meeting further discussed support measures for affected residents, including temporary relocation and alternative accommodation options during evacuation processes.
Authorities have been given strict timelines to speed up operations as the government moves to reduce risks posed by structurally compromised buildings and prevent future tragedies.