The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday voiced strong dissatisfaction at the officials of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation (KMC) and the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) during the hearing of a petition filed against illegal constructions in Ramzanabad Garden West.

On Wednesday, representatives of both institutions appeared in the court on the court’s order.

The court inquired about the actions taken against a building constructed in 2000, prompting the SBCA director to respond that the issue had only come to their attention and that action would be initiated on the court’s directive.

The response drew sharp criticism from the court, which questioned whether officials would only perform their duties when compelled by court orders.

Justice Iqbal Kalhoro remarked that ‘your work is only to earn money from under the table, SBCA is the most infamous institution of the government, and there will be a special place in hell for its officers’.

The court ordered the SBCA to take immediate action against illegal constructions and submit an implementation report by September 16.

The petitioner’s lawyer, Advocate Farjad Ali Khan, told the court that according to the law, only a ground plus one construction is allowed in the Garden West area. However, ground plus four has been constructed here, and illegal commercial activities are going on in the residential area.

The court adjourned the further hearing of the matter till a later date.