NAB initiates probe into ‘illegal’ marriage halls approved by Sindh Building Control Authority

The move from the NAB came in “pursuant to a complaint” received by the bureau, which points out two major areas of violations allegedly by the SBCA. A NAB letter to the SBCA chief refers to a brief summary of allegations about “illegal issuance of NOCs for construction of marriage halls/marquees” and “illegal construction of marriage halls on amenity plots”. “You are once again required to submit a detailed report in respect of violations committed, loss caused to national exchequer and reasons for inaction on the part of SBCA regarding construction and operation of marriage halls in Karachi,” said the NAB letter to the SBCA chief, citing past requests to the authority which were never responded to. The anti-graft body’s move coincides with the recent alarms raised by residents, activists and legal experts over the unchecked commercialisation of residential plots in Karachi. It is feared that the move would worsen traffic congestion, cause pollution, lead to collapse of infrastructure and degrade the environment across the metropolis, which is already plagued by multiple civic issues. Speaking at a press conference titled ‘Citizens Speak for a Liveable Karachi’, organised by the Karachi Citizens Foundation (KCF) last week at the Karachi Press Club, the speakers pointed out that the city’s sewerage infrastructure is already collapsing under existing pressu