CDA directed to strictly implement building bylaws

[Lahore_Real_Estate]

* Senate body orders survey to assess illegal constructions
* Kakar says building codes not being followed in Chak Shahzad and other areas of capital

ISLAMABAD: The Sub-Committee of the Senate Standing Committee on Cabinet Secretariat, Inter Provincial Coordination and Special Initiatives Tuesday directed Capital Development Authority (CDA) to ensure strict implementation of the building bylaws.

The committee met at the Parliament House to review the relevant buildings bylaws and CDA permission to allow additional floors of the buildings.

Senator Dr Safdar Abbasi presided over the meeting, which was attended by among others by Senator Saeeda Iqbal, CDA Chairman and some other officials.

The sub-committee directed the CDA chairman to conduct a survey of the Federal Capital to evaluate the illegal constructions. The committee gave two months time to CDA for carrying out the survey.

The committee also sought details of the building bylaws, consultants and engineers working in CDA and some other details to assess the situation and prepare detailed report/recommendations for onward submission to the main committee.

The convener of the committee hoped that the exercise would help improve the working of the CDA strengthening it to check the illegal constructions.

Meanwhile, Minister for Housing and Works Rehmatullah Kakar on Tuesday said amendments in the existing housing policy with focus on building codes would be finalised by the end of June.

Talking to this news agency, he said experts of the ministry had already held three meetings and hopefully the amendments would be introduced by the target date.

Kakar said revised building codes, especially for multi-stories buildings, were being framed to avoid human and material losses in times of natural calamity.

He said building codes in Islamabad were being followed in Zone I and II but these were not complied with in Chak Shahzad and other areas.

The Ministry of Housing and Works wants to ensure strict application of building codes and CDA bylaws in Islamabad, Kakar said. app