Nasla Tower’s pre-demolition work stopped over safety concerns

KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) was stopped from carrying out the pre-demolition work of Nasla Tower over safety concerns.

The SBCA had initiated the work on the directives of Karachi Commissioner Muhammad Iqbal Memon, however, Ferozabad Assistant Commissioner Asma Batool stopped it on the grounds of safety concerns.

“The demolition process has been stopped for a while because of the safety concerns of the passers-by,” she said, adding that huge blocks fell on the road during the demolition of the building.

She said that without proper safety measures, no demolition could take place because it could cause damage to human lives. After consulting with the high-ups, the demolition work would resume, she added.

Earlier, the anti-encroachment police of the Sindh Board of Revenue cordoned off the building, following which the SBCA’s demolition squad kicked off the pre-demolition work.

District East Deputy Commissioner Asif Jan Siddiqui told the media that the tower’s doors and windows were being removed. He said the anti-encroachment police had been summoned to maintain law and order in the area.

“Initially, removal of windows and doors of the building will take place,” said Siddiqui, adding that there had not been any decision regarding the issuance of a tender for the proper demolition of the building.

He said that until a decision was made regarding controlled blast or manual demolition of the residential-cum- commercial tower, it would be destroyed according to the normal procedure.

Read more: Supreme Court to demolish Nasla Tower within a week