KARACHI: The illegal demolition of British-era buildings, most of which have been declared protected heritage, continued in the metropolis by “builder mafia” as yet another building located on Pakistan Chowk was razed from inside, it emerged on Saturday.

While the Sindh archaeology department has taken action and sealed the heritage building, the fate of its façade still hangs in the balance.

The issue of the illegal demolition works and removal of debris from pre-partition Kanji Building at Bellasis Street, Narain Road near Pakistan Chowk was first highlighted in social media. As soon as it got information about illegal demolition, the archaeology department launched an action and immediately sealed the edifice.

Officials said that the subject property was enlisted as protected heritage within the meaning of Sindh Cultural Heritage (Preservation) Act, 1994.

Informed sources told Dawn that only the façade of the British-era building carrying features of 19th century European architecture was intact for now as there was nothing inside the ground-plus-three residential structure.

Archaeology dept seals colonial-era edifice in Pakistan Chowk

The sources said that the building had been abandoned by the residents several years ago and except for its façade it was partly razed some five years ago.

Archaeology Department Deputy Director Pirah Mangi told Dawn that the building was sealed on June 27 and the owner was issued a notice for illegally demolishing it and removing debris from the site.

The building was sealed as the owner was removing debris from the site, she said, adding that the owner had been asked to submit the conservation plans for the consideration of a technical committee.

The archaeology department official said that the sealing order had been pasted on the façade of the Kanji Building.

The sealing order also warned that if anyone trespasses the subject premises or broke the seal, he or she would be prosecuted and punished under Section 18 of the Sindh Heritage (Prevention) Act.

Culture Minister Syed Sardar Ali Shah said that architectural heritage in the city had been at stake for years as the unauthorised demolition and illegal construction works at buildings and monuments from the colonial period continue mainly due to lacunae in the heritage law as well as shortage of staff.

He said that the department was making all-out efforts for the preservation and protection of the city’s cultural heritage and a prompt action was taken as and when illegal demolition or construction work of any protected building was noticed.

Over 3,500 protected buildings in Sindh

Officials said there are over 3,500 protected buildings and sites across the province, including 1,750 in Karachi alone.

Only 10 staffers in Karachi and as many in interior of Sindh were deputed to keep an eye on the unauthorised demolition and illegal construction, which was mostly done by influential owners and builders.

Besides, there are no inspectors in the heritage department to check unauthorised demolition or construction at the protected sites as there was no provision of any such posts in the department.

Presently, it is the responsibility of the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) to monitor the protected buildings and ensure that no demolition or construction work was carried out at any heritage sites.

Under the rules and regulation, the demolition and construction of any building, including the protected ones, could not be carried out in the province without obtaining a no-objection certificate (NOC) from the SBCA, which had staff deputed in every part of Karachi and other parts of Sindh to monitor demolition and construction activities.

As per the archaeology department, most of the protected buildings were concentrated in Saddar, Civil Lines and Cantonment Board Karachi remit where plots are very expensive because of their value and buildings and structures could be built on such sites after razing the protected buildings.

Published in Dawn, July 2nd, 2023