Sindh Govt announces comprehensive reform plan to make SBCA effective & functional authority

KARACHI, (UrduPoint / Pakistan Point News - 21st Feb, 2026) After detailed deliberations, institutional review, and calculated consultations on the structural and operational challenges facing the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Provincial Minister for Local Government, Syed Nasir Hussain Shah, has announced a comprehensive reform and enforcement framework aimed at transforming SBCA into a transparent, accountable, technology-driven and effective regulatory organization.

According to a press release issued by Director Media Management, the decision follows an in-depth assessment of persistent issues, including illegal constructions, dangerous and dilapidated buildings, protection of heritage structures, delays in construction approvals, governance weaknesses, and complaints of corruption within the system. The Minister emphasized that the Government of Sindh is committed to restoring public confidence and strengthening regulatory oversight to protect human lives and urban infrastructure.

Taking strict notice of illegal constructions across Karachi, the Minister directed that a Special Anti-Illegal Construction Task Force be constituted immediately. The Task Force will focus on identification, monitoring, and demolition of unauthorized structures. It will utilize modern drone surveillance technology to detect illegal constructions in real time.

Drone surveys will be made mandatory in densely populated areas to ensure continuous monitoring and early intervention. Highlighting the risks posed by unauthorized additional portions and unsafe structures, the Minister stated that illegal constructions endanger human lives and will not be tolerated under any circumstances.

As part of institutional reforms, the Government has approved the expansion of the Single Window Facility to all SBCA regions to streamline public dealings and reduce procedural bottlenecks. In addition, thousands of approval files and legacy records across all regions are being digitized to eliminate record manipulation, improve transparency, and ensure secure data management.

The approval process has already been made fully online for Category-I buildings. Categories II and III are being transitioned to the online system, while Category-IV approvals will also be digitized and integrated with S-BoSS (Sindh Business One Stop Shop) — a flagship digital initiative of the Government of Sindh designed to streamline business regulations, licensing, and permits. This integration will significantly reduce approval delays and enhance ease of doing business in the province.

To strengthen citizen engagement and transparency, a geo-tagged Complaint Tracking System is being introduced. The system will enable citizens to submit complaints digitally and track their status in real time, ensuring accountability and responsiveness. The reform package also includes strengthened monitoring of dangerous buildings, protection mechanisms for heritage structures, and institutional accountability measures aimed at curbing corruption and improving service delivery standards.