Lahore: LDA staff faces action for not razing illegal plazas

[Naveed Yaseen]

PUNJAB Chief Minister Mian Shahbaz Sharif has issued instructions for immediate suspension of the officers of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) who failed to demolish plazas and high-rise buildings constructed in violation of the relevant laws.

Presiding over a meeting regarding illegal plazas and buildings in the provincial metropolis here on Monday, the chief minister sought explanation of the LDA director general concerned regarding the failure of the department to demolish the illegal constructions. He said illegally constructed plazas and buildings were causing many problems, including heavy traffic jams. He said most of the city roads had become impassable due to haphazard constructions and the department concerned, which allowed construction of these illegal plazas, was equally guilty.

“Despite the identification of 45 illegal plazas, no stay order was obtained and the failure on the part of LDA officers in demolishing these structures shows their negligence,” he said, adding that the officers showing irresponsible attitude in this regard deserved no leniency and should be immediately suspended. He said explanation of DG LDA of that period should also be called for negligence and ineffective supervision. The Chief Minister also constituted a .three-member committee, comprising Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, Khawaja Imran Raza and the DG LDA, for survey of illegally constructed buildings and petrol pumps.

The Chief Minister said government was paying special attention to provision of recreational facilities to the citizens and restoring the status of Lahore as the City of Gardens and for this purpose condition of all parks and gardens was being improved while trees were being planted along newly constructed roads.

“A park will be developed over an area of 1,000 kanals in Johar Town,” he said, directing the LDA to handover the state land to the PHA for this purpose.

Earlier, the LDA DG, while briefing the meeting about illegal plazas, informed that the Supreme Court had constituted a three-member commission for inspection of high-rise buildings. He said the commission had inspected 451 buildings and submitted a report about 299 buildings to the Supreme Court. The commission had also recommended demolition of 45 illegally constructed buildings.

Punjab Minister Mujtaba Shujaur Rehman, MNA Mian Marghoob Ahmad, Khawaja Ahmad Hasaan, advocate general Punjab, DG LDA, MD Wasa, Chairman Task Force Mustafa Kamal as well as officers concerned were present on the occasion.

http://www.thenews.com.pk/daily_detail.asp?id=139658