SC withdraws ban on construction of high-rises in Karachi

KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday withdrew its restraining order against the construction of high-rises in Karachi and ruled that new buildings with more than six storeys can be built as per the relevant building laws.

Headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, a bench of the apex court was hearing a case pertaining to the construction of high-rises at its Karachi registry.

Earlier in March 2017, the top court had imposed a ban on construction of high-rise buildings in Karachi.

It had restrained the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) and cantonment boards from granting approval for construction of new commercial and residential buildings with more than six storeys.

The restraining order was given during the hearing of a case related to the non-availability of pure drinking water and poor sanitation conditions in the port city.

Following the court order, the SBCA had issued a notification on May 23, calling for a complete ban on construction of multi-story / high-rise buildings in Karachi region.

It also stated that the authority received a letter from the Sindh Local Government seeking to impose a ban on all high-rise buildings in compliance with the order of the Supreme Court.