Liaquatabad Supermarket Faces Crisis and Destruction

The popular Liaquatabad Supermarket in Karachi is a 10-story structure located in the city’s commercial district that opened its doors in the year 1976. Unluckily, the market plaza has not fulfilled its original purpose despite the passing of more than 50 years, since a significant portion of the structure is still vacant as a result of the Karachi Metropolitan Corporation’s (KMC) carelessness.

Only 5-levels of the structure are said to feature offices and libraries; the other floors are reportedly empty and have not been used in many years. Additionally, the building’s master plan has undergone several revisions, which have resulted in the unlawful removal of stores and the disarray of commercial spaces.

To make things worse, the building’s reputation has been damaged by “constant growth on its sides, and the elevators, security systems, fire safety plans, and women’s facilities” are all in disarray. Additionally, SM Taufiq Road, the road where the supermarket is situated, is in numerous areas in poor condition.

Liaquatabad Supermarket Has Fallen Into Ruin

Despite its recent design, the Liaquatabad Supermarket has fallen into ruin because of the growth of the mafia and the KMC administration’s selfishness and a lack of interest according to a KMC official who spoke on condition of anonymity. According to his allegations, the building’s master plan was unnecessarily adjusted by the KMC’s higher authorities.

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Additionally, a number of item stores have been established in the supermarket area. Shops have been construction there, and the bank that was formerly there has been demolished.

“A females’ technical college had been established on the 6th and 7th floors twenty years prior, but it was moved to Karimabad due to many harassment occurrences. No private organization is prepared to establish offices on the other floors of the building as a result of these conditions,” the official stated.

Building Needs Upgradation

The survey indicates that the Liaquatabad Supermarket has stores on the ground and 1st floors, a library on the 2nd floor, the land registry office on the 3rd floor, and a number of institutions set up on the 4th and 5th floors.

The structure lies in ruins from the 6th story upwards, with masses of trash and construction materials scattered throughout the vacant halls. The building’s walls and floors are covered in betel leaf spitting, making the overall cleanliness disgusting.

Additionally, despite the fact that women make up (90%) of the market’s customers, there are no separate bathrooms for them; instead, they must use the ladies’ facility.

The Supermarket Association’s Coordination Secretary, Muhammad Mazhar, attested to the absence of a security or sanitary system in the structure. “The guards who have been assigned aren’t showing up meanwhile the shopkeepers have to fix things up on their own,” Mazhar stated.

Fresh Strategy

Furthermore, shopkeeper Mohammad Alam disclosed that the supermarket had been challenged by continuous load outages. “If KMC restores its organized system of power and puts a generator at the market, things can get better,” Alam said.

Bringing back the Liaquatabad Supermarket required hiring a consultant who could come up with a fresh strategy, according to Dr. Asim Bashir Khan, an economist and professor at the Institute of Business Administration (IBA).

Quality, elevators, protection, and fire safety should be given top priority in the updated design, and other routes should be set up as well. Illegal interference should be eliminated, and the road’s condition should be repaired. Private businesses won’t be interested in opening offices at the plaza until this is completed, according to Dr. Khan. However, Irshad Baig, the KMC’s Deputy Director of the Estate Department, disclosed that the Liaquatabad Supermarket had (744) stores in total. “The total revenue that comes from the building is (Rs1 crore). There are no cheating of the master plan at the building,” Baig stated.