crumbling structures
Groundwork for tragedy
The recent cases of building collapses have put a spotlight on the performance of the Karachi Building Controller Authority (KBCA). Though KBCA officials say they are doing their job, concerned quarters feel otherwise
By Hafeez Tunio
Ruqayya Manzil near Pakistan Chowk is among many of the buildings in the city declared dangerous by the Karachi Buildings Control Authority (KBCA), but instead of evacuating it, its occupants are renovating their houses, refusing to leave.

No options but to live in high-risk high-rises
Moving out is not an option for many residents of buildings declared dangerous by the authorities since they don't have the money to invest in yet another piece of property
By Rabia Ali
The vicinity of Mithadar's Lea Market where a building collapsed recently, claiming the lives of over 20 people, has a number of residential structures that are dangerous, and its residents have been asked to evacuate the premises.

reading
'All visitors here treated like family'
Though the sprouting of electronic sources of information have fast eroded the trend of visiting libraries, the Sharfabad Bedil Library still attracts plenty of people, particularly research students
By Zabe Azkar Hussain
With over 85,000 books stored in an area spanning 1,200 square yards, the Sharfabad Bedil Library (SBL) is a haven for scholars, researchers, and Ph.D and M.Phil students. Run by Muhammad Zubair and his team, here is a library visitors can be sure they can find what they need, whether it is a magazine on philosophy, a publication on the social sciences, or a book on post-1857 poetry.

artefact
Matka filter: an innovative solution for water filtration
The citizens of low-income areas have been deprived of several basic necessities of life, including clean drinking water, for ages. However, the Matka Filter initiative by the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) might serve as a blessing for these people
By Tabassum Farooq
Every year all over the country, thousands of people, mostly children, die by drinking contaminated water. Though the public sector has so far failed to meet the needs of the poor in this regard, some charitable organisations are working to educate and help people to cope with the problem. The Matka Filter (MF) Project is one such effort initiated by Orangi Charitable Trust (OCT), aiming to provide safe drinking water to the slums of Karachi.

book
review

Mapping the intricacies of relationships
By Shaza Nishat
Book:
Kartography
Author:
Kamila Shamsie
Publisher:
Harcourt
Price: Rs325
Few cities in the world have merited the attention bestowed upon them by noted writers and poets of an epoch. In the contemporary times Karachi seems to have taken the fancy of all the writers that the city has produced. However, none have personified the city in a way that leaves the reader feeling that Karachi is in fact a silent witness of the crimes, love, loss and betrayal that its denizens have bequeathed each other, like Kamila Shamsie has in her novel, Kartography.

Karachi
Bolta Hai
By Rafay Mahmood
Perhaps there is no better way to describe Karachi's street slang other than unique - its crude, shocking and downright funny. Also, it is not governed by the standard of Urdu. In this very special series Kolachi gives its readers a crash course in Karachi's 'home-grown' dialect.

 

 

crumbling structures

Groundwork for tragedy

The recent cases of building collapses have put a spotlight on the performance of the Karachi Building Controller Authority (KBCA). Though KBCA officials say they are doing their job, concerned quarters feel otherwise

By Hafeez Tunio

Ruqayya Manzil near Pakistan Chowk is among many of the buildings in the city declared dangerous by the Karachi Buildings Control Authority (KBCA), but instead of evacuating it, its occupants are renovating their houses, refusing to leave.

"This building is well-built and even can bear earthquake and thunderstorm rains," declared Burhan-u-Din, a resident of the decades-old building. "Come and visit my house," he insisted. "I have recently spent Rs100,000 replacing the tiles and redoing my kitchen."

 During the recent visit by Kolachi, it was learnt that all residents of the building are similarly reluctant to find new homes. They say they will not vacate their houses until they get compensation to rehabilitate their families.  Meanwhile, those living close to Ruqayya Manzil continue to live in fear: its front portion has collapsed twice.

 The inhabitants of other buildings declared hazardous by the Technical Committee for Hazardous Buildings in the KBCA are no different.

"The sole purpose of the committee is to investigate which buildings are hazardous and serve notices to the occupants to vacate them so the building can be demolished," said Nisar Ahmed, Town Building Control Officer, KBCA, while talking to Kolachi. According to Ahmed, improper sewerage system is the main problem, along with dug-up sites right next to most of the buildings. During the rainy season, water accumulates in the ditches and wears away the foundation of the adjacent building.

There are 161 such buildings, beginning in old areas such as Saddar Town, followed by Lyari Town and Jamshed Town. In Saddar alone, 128 buildings are considered to be in poor condition and can collapse at any time.

These buildings include Serai Quarters, Ghulam Hussain Kassam Quarters, Napier Quarters, Ramswami Quarters, Ranchore Lines Quarters, Bunder Road Quarters, Preedy Quarters, Arambagh Quarters, Saddar Bazaar Quarters, Railway Quarters, and Lawrence Quarters. All these buildings are fully occupied. A majority of the residents have been living there for decades, and have ignored notices issued by the KBCA to vacate the buildings.

Similarly, the occupants of nine buildings situated in Garden East and Solider Bazaar Quarters of Jamshed Town have been told to vacate their residences, but in vain, as is the case with the residents of a number of buildings located in Old Khubharwara, Khada Liaquat Colony, Allama Iqbal Colony in Lyari, Queen Quarters in Keamari Town, and Friends Square of Model Colony.

 "No one is willing to leave their houses," said Ahmed, who is also Secretary of the Technical Committee for Hazardous Buildings.

 A team of inspectors, assistant building controllers and vigilance officers from each town regularly check which buildings should be declared dangerous, and submit their report to the committee, which comprises nine renowned architects, civil engineers and town planners from different institutions including the Pakistan Engineering Council, the Cultural and Heritage Department, the Government of Sindh, the Pakistan Council of Architect Town Planning, the Association of Consulting Engineers Pakistan, NED University, and the City District Government Karachi. The alignment, beams, columns and cracks of each building are jointly inspected by the committee, after which it is decided whether the building is hazardous and should be demolished, or needs heavy repair, as per section 14 of Sindh Building Control Ordinance 1979. Architectural and town-planning experts say that the out of the buildings declared dangerous by the KBCA, 20 per cent were built before the partition. They stress the need to investigate which other buildings may be in similar condition.

 "Eighty per cent of the buildings constructed prior to partition in old areas of the city are dangerous and can collapse any time, since they are bearing an immense load," said renowned architect Zia Jafferi, who represents the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners in the committee. Jafferi added that a survey showed that even buildings constructed 10 years ago have been declared dangerous.

 "The reason for this is that getting the approval to put up two storeys on top of the ground floor, contractors usually expand their construction," he explained. "After getting the approval, contractors are allowed to expand construction by 20 per cent expansion, but many add three to four more floors, which makes the building dangerous."

But independent sources claim that KBCA officials have failed to curb violation of buildings rules and regulation. "Vigilant officials in various towns mint money and give contractors permission to build illegal constructions, which has led to many dangerous buildings in every town," said a source. "Even in posh areas, construction is not regulated."

 However, Arif Ahmed, Controller Vigilances KBCA, told Kolachi that just 40 per cent of the population of the city falls under the jurisdiction of KBCA , while rest live either in katchi abadis or cantonment areas. Ahmed insists that licences of contractors and architects found violating KBCA rules and have been cancelled and their buildings demolished.

"In many areas, neither police nor other law enforcement agencies are cooperating to take action against illegal constructions," he complained. He added that in some cases, builders have taken stay orders against the demolition of their illegal construction. The cases are pending in the courts.

"Very soon our own police stations and court will be established and the action against the illegal constructions will be expedited," he finished hopefully.

 

Moving out is not an option for many residents of buildings declared dangerous by the authorities since they don't have the money to invest in yet another piece of property

By Rabia Ali

The vicinity of Mithadar's Lea Market where a building collapsed recently, claiming the lives of over 20 people, has a number of residential structures that are dangerous, and its residents have been asked to evacuate the premises.

Qureshi Ahmed, a resident of a nearby building in the locality, pointed out that there are several structures in Lea Market that are old and need attention, but continue to be neglected by the government. "When the government decides to move people out of their homes, compensation should also be provided to them so that they make alternate living arrangements," said Ahmed. In fact, he added, some of the people who were asked to evacuate are currently living with their relatives while others are living in camps.

This sentiment is an overarching one.

For Muhammad Samiuddin moving out of his recently-acquired apartment at Ruqayya Manzil near Pakistan Chowk is out of the question. "I moved here only five months ago after paying Rs500,000 with a fixed monthly rent of Rs580. When I was buying the apartment, I had no idea that within two months the building was going to be declared 'dangerous' by the Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA)," he told Kolachi.

According to Samiuddin, the building was declared dangerous three months ago after an adjoining wall of an apartment collapsed. "Although no casualties occurred, nevertheless we realised that the building required immediate repair and maintenance work. For this purpose, all residents talked to the owner and asked him to provide financial assistance but he refused and told us to pack our bags and leave if we were having problems living here," he explained.

Since Samiuddin is the sole earning member of his family, he decided against moving out even though the building he is living in is highly dangerous. "Whatever money I had, I invested in buying the apartment. Now I don't have any money to move my wife and 40-day-old daughter to another house," he said worriedly. The dilapidated facade bearing a warning sign that the building is dangerous along with its narrow staircase and broken walls, clearly depicts the deplorable conditions in which its residents are forced to live in.

Shaikh Muhammad Ather, who has a printing office in the building, said that "when the government issues notifications to such buildings, it should also take the responsibility of rehabilitating the people, and providing them compensation."

While several buildings have been declared dangerous by the authorities, residents are forced to live in them because of financial constraints. Bano Bai, one such resident of a building in Saddar that has been declared dangerous, told Kolachi that she has been living there for many years now. "Although we are on the look-out for another house, we are unable to move given our limited resources."

Meanwhile, Mrs Raheel, a resident of Kausar Medico Building on M.A. Jinnah Road that has been given a repair notification, agreed with this view. "It is not easy to leave one's home and move in these times of rising inflation. But what other choice are we left with if we want to protect and safeguard our families?" she lamented.

'Lack of accountability will lead to more collapses'

Observers and experts hold various factors responsible for the frequent cases of buildings collapsing in the city as of late. Kolachi speaks to Roland d' Souza, a noted engineer, for his say on the subject…

By Jan Khaskheli

Karachiites are vulnerable to eventualities, such as the recent building collapse, because the law is not being implemented properly, says Roland d' Souza, a noted engineer, who is associated with the NGO Shehri. "If laws were in place, such buildings would not have collapsed. We may see more devastating incidents of building collapse in future as well if the concerned Karachi Building Control Authority (KBCA) officials as well as the architect are not held accountable," he told Kolachi.

D' Souza says that the building that collapsed recently in Mithadar was not because the structure was declared 'dangerous' but because its foundation was worn-out due to a 10-foot-deep excavation adjacent to the site. This was the result of the advice of shady engineers, he added. "United Bank Limited (UBL) is planning to construct a tall building on Sharea Faisal now and planners have excavated about 40 feet adjacent to another building but that is safe. The recent incident was a crime because the officials concerned ignored the situation. There was no planning done by any architect of repute," D'Souza claimed.

Other examples of 'safe' buildings include the MCB Tower and Aga Khan University Hospital. D'Souza said that the notorious builder Iqbal Adha – owner of the under-construction building adjacent to the one that collapsed in Mithadar – has developed several high-rise buildings in Kharadar, Garden and other neighbourhoods illegally. Like Adha, there are a number of builders involved in such activities and if they are not monitored properly, similar incidents of building collapse are likely to occur.

He said there are regulations to ensure safety measures while constructing new buildings to avoid mishaps, one of which includes the prohibition of excavation close to the site. Unfortunately, says D'Souza, these regulations are not being followed. "There are probably several countries like Pakistan where corruption is rampant but the manipulation we are witnessing is incomparable." He said earthquakes in California and Japan are much more common than in Pakistan but their buildings don't fall down. "These countries have learned lessons after huge human and property losses. The earthquake in Turkey affected 100,000 buildings, leaving one million people displaced along with a massive loss of human lives. Similarly, the earthquake in Gujrat, India (2001) killed hundreds of people. We should not forget that Karachi is on the fault line and may witness such a shock in the future," he explained.

He held the KBCA is responsible for these incidents because it does not monitor the building process. When the KBCA approves a building plan, they inspect the place initially, but the same project is ignored later on. d'Souza also said that Karachi has witnessed an addition of hundreds of new buildings in the last two decades, but nobody is sure whether they are safe. The KBCA and builders have pocket architects and engineers, which is why despite the collapse of several buildings, nobody has been held responsible and punished according to the law.

 

 

reading

'All visitors here treated like family'

Though the sprouting of electronic sources of information have fast eroded the trend of visiting libraries, the Sharfabad Bedil Library still attracts plenty of people, particularly research students

By Zabe Azkar Hussain

With over 85,000 books stored in an area spanning 1,200 square yards, the Sharfabad Bedil Library (SBL) is a haven for scholars, researchers, and Ph.D and M.Phil students. Run by Muhammad Zubair and his team, here is a library visitors can be sure they can find what they need, whether it is a magazine on philosophy, a publication on the social sciences, or a book on post-1857 poetry.

"My team and I have left no stone unturned to make this library easier for everyone to use," said Zubair with pride, who runs the library with three other assistants. Researchers and students who use the library confirm that Zubair and his team have successfully done that. "They are very cooperative and articulate," said students.

Dr Tahir Qureshi, for example, is a scholar and teacher, is working on a Ph.D in Urdu on 'Milli Sha'airi Mein Na'atia Anasir', and is full of praise for Zubair and his team. "I can get all the information I need here," he told Kolachi.

Qureshi is looking in particular for 'Na'atia' elements in poetry written between 1857 and 1971, and does not need to go beyond the SBL. "All visitors here are treated like family," he said. "It promotes a good learning atmosphere." Abrar Abdus Salam, a researcher from Multan, has a similar outlook. Salam is working on a Ph.D on the history of Urdu short stories - 'Daastan-goi' - and has already made numerous trips to this spacious library. Dawood Usmani, another Ph.D student, is doing his research on Rashid ul Khairi and his family. "The material at this library has proved to be immensely helpful."

Students of the University of Karachi agree. Khalid Amin and Javed Khursheed, two M.Phil students, are researching fiction and the period of literary enlightenment in the sub-continent after 1857, and have everything they need here.

The SBL, patroned by the Bihar Muslim Co-operative Housing Society (BMCHS), was established in 1974, but Zubair did not join it until 1996. The library is named after Bedil, the great Persian poet. "Bedil was a great Persian poet whose writing greatly enriched Urdu poetry," explained Zubair. "A poet as great as Mirza Ghalib admitted that no one could write the way he did."

Driven by a passion to bring about a library where no one would need to look elsewhere, he began amassing a horde of material on literature, history, and philosophy. From the day Zubair joined the library to date, he has collected nearly 25,000 books and magazine, which have found their way to the library via donations from both universities and individuals. "A number of writers or their families have also made contributions," added Zubair.

As homage to literary giants, special 'corners' have been reserved in the library containing only their works. Famous names include Naim Arvi, Abdul Khair Kashfi, Shabnum Roomani, Shehzad Manzar, Prof Hasan Askari, Tabish Dehlavi, Shamima Rizvi, Anwar Enyatullah, Jaffer Shah Phulwari, Dr Wafa Rashidi, Jameel Zubairi, Matiul Imam, and Amanullah Kabili.

 

artefact

Matka filter: an innovative solution for water filtration

The citizens of low-income areas have been deprived of several basic necessities of life, including clean drinking water, for ages. However, the Matka Filter initiative by the Orangi Pilot Project (OPP) might serve as a blessing for these people

 

By Tabassum Farooq

Every year all over the country, thousands of people, mostly children, die by drinking contaminated water. Though the public sector has so far failed to meet the needs of the poor in this regard, some charitable organisations are working to educate and help people to cope with the problem. The Matka Filter (MF) Project is one such effort initiated by Orangi Charitable Trust (OCT), aiming to provide safe drinking water to the slums of Karachi.

The OCT, a sub-institution of the OPP, first launched this low-cost project nearly a year ago in Moach Goth, Gadap Town. It has distributed Matka Filters and also taught people how to construct them. Meanwhile, the OCT is working on a plan to distribute 200 MFs to the deserving people. Half of these have already been distributed.

Saleem Aleemuddin, a representative of the OPP, said, "Gadap Town was receiving highly contaminated water, which is why the project was first launched in a Goth of Gadap Town." According to him, the MF is economical, and its construction and maintenance is easy. "One MF costs nearly Rs1,000 or less. The amount decreases to nearly 50 per cent if 10 or more are made simultaneously," he added.  

Apart from distribution of the MFs, the OPP is providing technical guidance on how to manufacture them through its Research and Training Institute (RTI).  

"Two pitchers measuring 20 and 30 inches, a plastic pipe of about three feet, and four different kinds of sand particles are all that is required to make an MF," explained Aleemuddin.  

He continued that to construct the filter, it is necessary to drill a hole on either the right or left side of the large (30-inch) pitcher. The hole should be made five inches below the neck of the pitcher, after which the plastic pipe is inserted. The end of the pipe should not touch the base of the pitcher or remain an inch higher than the base, while a tap could be attached at the other end. The sand particles are then laid in four layers in the pitcher, and stones laid at the base. The crush is laid over the stones to form the second layer. Similarly, gravel is laid over the crush and finally, sand is laid over gravel. As per standard, the stone layer is three inches high, the crush layer four inches high and each of the remaining two layers should be six inches high. However, these particles need to be washed properly and suitable nets should be used to strain all the particles.  

Before placing the smaller (20-inch) pitcher on the larger one, a small hole should be made at the bottom of the smaller pitcher. This small pitcher is then filled with water, which collects in the larger pitcher through the hole. After passing through these four layers, filtered water reaches the bottom which automatically comes out through the plastic pipe.

 Aleemuddin claimed that the MF is a life-time investment, unless the pitchers are damaged. "If one finds that the MF has stopped filtering the water, he should wash sand particles and reset them in the same manner, and the MF starts filtering the water again," he said. "The Matka Filter (MF) is a life-time investment, unless the pitchers are damaged. However, if one finds that the MF has stopped filtering the water, he should wash sand particles and reset them in the same manner, and the MF starts filtering the water again."

 

book

review

Mapping the intricacies of relationships

By Shaza Nishat

Book:

Kartography

Author:

Kamila Shamsie

 

Publisher:

Harcourt

 

Price: Rs325

 

Few cities in the world have merited the attention bestowed upon them by noted writers and poets of an epoch. In the contemporary times Karachi seems to have taken the fancy of all the writers that the city has produced. However, none have personified the city in a way that leaves the reader feeling that Karachi is in fact a silent witness of the crimes, love, loss and betrayal that its denizens have bequeathed each other, like Kamila Shamsie has in her novel, Kartography.

Set in the various significant times in the history of the sub-continent, Shamsie takes a deeper look into one the most defining moment's in Pakistan's history, heightening the tensions, conflicts and repercussions by bringing the consequences of the partition into the lives of two 13-year-old Karachiites, Raheen and Karim. Precocious for their age, Raheen and Karim who seem destined for each other witness first hand what it is like to grow up in a city like Karachi along with their two friends Zia and Sonia. Like all Pakistanis these children also grow up knowing only a partial history of the country's troubled past. As though it was an open secret the two protagonists also share special significance with 1971 it was when their parents chose to exchange fiancées.

It is here, in their parents' youth, where the real conflict lies and while the elder couples have chosen to move on with their lives, the young ones would have to learn to cope with the bitter truths of betrayal and deceit and human weakness to get hope, love and joy out of the entire mess.

The novel which is leaden with heavy themes also features a caustic humour that is characteristic of Shamsie which conveys bitter truths about a nation's unfortunate dissection haunting all the while amusing. As the author, maps the various prejudices instilled in the Pakistani mindset after the partition, with Karim obsessing about Kartography notice the 'K' for Karachi, we see that the stark contrast in both protagonist's reaction to the truth about their parents. On the other hand, Raheen refuses to confront the truth going into denial Karim chooses to hold the truth against everyone involved and everyone not involved, which results in his estrangement from Raheen. However, it is only when both see the light from each other's point view with Karim learning tolerance and forgiveness from Raheen who at last opens her eyes to what has been in front of her for so long.

One of Shamsie's best novels, Kartography, weaves an interesting narrative of love and loss and everything else that Karachi has to offer.

 

Karachi

Bolta Hai

By Rafay Mahmood

Perhaps there is no better way to describe Karachi's street slang other than unique - its crude, shocking and downright funny. Also, it is not governed by the standard of Urdu. In this very special series Kolachi gives its readers a crash course in Karachi's 'home-grown' dialect.

 

Mamoo/noun: In real terms it is used for maternal uncle. However, it was first used on screen in an Indian film and is now commonly used on the streets of Karachi as a synonym for 'fool'.

 

Jigar/noun/adj: Literally this word means 'Liver' (the organ) in Urdu. However, youngsters in Karachi use the word as a title for a good friend, who they can rely on as the human body relies on the liver for proper functioning..

Chikna/noun/adjective: In Urdu this word means 'slippery.' The word was first used in an Indian film to define someone who is always clean shaven. But it can also be used in the positive sense to praise something or someone.

 

Burger/noun: A term coined to represent youngsters from the posh areas of Karachi, who have an English accent or pretend to have one.

 

Dhakkan/adj.: A dumb person whose brain is as empty as a bottle lid

Pawwa/noun: Taking its roots from an unidentifiable source, Pawwa is used for a way of achieving something using contacts. For example, getting a job or admission in an educational institute through some government official or high ups of that particular organization.

 

Chewing Gum/noun: Aside from its actual meaning, it is used in conversations for a person who keeps sticking with you despite the fact that you want them to leave.

 

Filam/noun: Originally an English word "Film" – a chemical phosphate emulsion used for shooting, is used in Karachi lingo for some one who is entertaining or whose actions and endeavours are interesting or bemusing.

 

Jugaar/verb: An Urdu word and a recent invention of the linguistic common man of Karachi, used for the alternative solution to any problem, no matter what and how difficult the problem is. It is the potion of healing for the problem ridden people of Karachi, and this terminology and its implementation is exclusive to Karachiites.

 

 

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