Four SBCA officials suspended on corruption charges

KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has suspended four officers, including Director Ejaz for authorizing illegal constructions in Karachi.

According to sources, the SBCA has suspended Landhi Town Director Malik Aijaz, Assistant Director Ehtesham, Buffer Zone Building Inspector Shakeel and Saddar Town Building Inspector Aijaz.

Sources further said Director Malik Ejaz was suspended for allowing illegal constructions in Liaqautabad town and building inspector Shakeel was involved in illegal constructions in Buffer Zone town.

Malik Ejaz was transferred from Liaquatabad town to Landi town a week ago, sources added. The SBCA has also constituted an inquiry committee against suspended officers and ordered to submit a report to Director General (DG) SBCA in a week.

On September 19, the Sindh government had suspended three Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) officers, including an assistant director and building inspector over corruption charges.

According to sources, the Sindh Local Government Minister Syed Nasir Hussain Shah has issued directives to immediately suspend SBCA assistant directors Nadeem Shaikh and Rafi Raza and building inspector Shahzad Arain over corruption charges.

Sources further said a three-member inquiry committee has been made by SBCA to investigate corruption allegations against three suspended officials.

SBCA officer Samit Ali Khan will head the committee while Farhan Qaiser and Mushtaq Ibrahim Soomro are its members. The committee will submit an inquiry report to the SBCA director-general in 15 days.

On August 26, the Sindh government had formed a committee to review the Sindh Building Control Authority’s (SBCA) affairs and monitor the issuance of permits for construction of high-rises and approval of maps by it.

Earlier, Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) chairman Ashkar Dawar had suspended Gulberg Town Assistant Director Azhar Khan for allowing illegal constructions.