KARACHI: The Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA) has approved only 1,039 public sale housing projects in Karachi over the past 16 years, while 7,230 applications remain pending, creating a large backlog that critics say is pushing buyers toward illegal “portion mafias” across the city.
Exclusive data obtained by Business Recorder shows that 8,269 cases were filed across Karachi’s towns, schemes, and cooperative housing societies during the period. Fewer than one in eight applications received approval.
The figures cover more than 40 localities and show major differences in how applications have been processed. Critics say the SBCA has become an obstacle to legitimate development rather than an efficient approval authority.
Gadap Town has the highest backlog, with 2,465 pending cases out of 2,623 applications, a 94 percent pendency rate. The area accounts for roughly 34 percent of all pending public sale project applications in Karachi.
Bin Qasim Town has 632 pending cases out of 725 applications, an 87 percent pendency rate. Together, Gadap and Bin Qasim account for around 40 percent of the city’s entire backlog.
In several established areas, where informal “portion mafias” are reportedly entrenched, nearly 50 percent of applications remain pending. The difference becomes clearer when approval rates are compared.
Gulshan received 179 approvals out of 1,131 cases. Jamshed Town has 343 pending cases out of 464. Liaquatabad received 25 approvals out of 96 cases, while Korangi has only 22 approvals out of 274 cases.
North Nazimabad received 35 approvals out of 161 submissions. PECHS has 15 approvals out of 25 cases, while Saddar has 132 approvals out of 419 cases. Gulshan, Gulzar-e-Hijri, and Johar have 38 approvals out of 140 cases.
Manghopir has only 2 approvals out of 282 applications. Landhi has 6 approvals out of 372, Shah Faisal has 16 approvals out of 336, and Scheme 41 in Surjani Town has 6 approvals out of 259 cases.
Sources said the figures do not show uniformly slow processing but what they described as selective handling. They alleged that approvals can depend on location, connections, or which officer receives a file.
ABAD Chairman Muhammad Hassan Bakshi called the figures “really shocking” and said delays in approving legitimate projects may encourage illegal construction.
Bakshi has also criticized the SBCA’s table-to-table approval system, saying multiple officials can delay applications and create opportunities for corruption. He has called for full digitization to improve transparency.
The SBCA has also faced legal action involving its officers in recent years. In September 2025, the Sindh government circulated a draft SBCA Act 2025 proposing a broader and more accountable governing structure, along with criminal, non-bailable penalties for violations.
