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The Sindh High Court (SHC) has directed authorities to de-seal shops on Napier Road that were recently declared illegal by the Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA). The decision came during a hearing on a petition filed by shop owners against the sealing of their businesses.
During proceedings, the petitioner’s counsel argued that the shops in question had been constructed before the establishment of Pakistan in 1947, making the SBCA’s action unjustified. The lawyer maintained that the SBCA was attempting to categorize long-standing structures as illegal without considering their historical existence.
The bench questioned the SBCA’s stance, asking how buildings that had stood for decades were suddenly being treated as unlawful. “The building has existed for so many years, now you think it is illegal?” the court remarked.
At the same time, the court confronted the petitioner over alleged shop extensions encroaching onto the road. The lawyer denied any such encroachment, insisting the shops had not been expanded “even an inch.”
After hearing both sides, the SHC ordered the de-sealing of the shops while instructing the SBCA to decide on the owners’ formal requests within three weeks. The ruling provides temporary relief to traders who had faced business closures amid the sealing drive.
The case highlights long-standing disputes in Karachi between authorities and shop owners over the classification of old structures. While officials often cite safety and planning regulations, business owners argue that many of these properties are historic and integral to the city’s commercial fabric.
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The court’s decision is seen as a reprieve for local traders, though a final resolution will depend on the SBCA’s review and compliance with legal requirements.
