ACCORDING to a news report (Sept 15), the interior minister had issued instructions to the Capatial Development Authority (CDA) to carry out survey of buildings in Islamabad.

Section 144 has also been imposed for that purpose. It is definitely a good step, if carried out in good faith since many manage to escape legal steps with the help of existing provisions available within government departments.

It is for the knowledge of the CDA Buildings Control Cell that there are many private educational institutions working in commercial areas.

One such private college (Punjab College) has recently shifted their boys’ campus to the Blue Area. It has been established on three floors (between third and fifth floor). The college accommodates as many as 1,500 students in its morning shift only and there may be similar number in the evening as well.

There are at least 55 students in each room, which is once again in violation the rule.

The building has only one five-foot-wide entry/exit passage with no emergency exit. This violates the safety rule.

God forbid, in case an untoward incident happens even in the form of a hoax threat, there would be a terrible loss.

To avoid such a possibility, it is necessary that the college administration be asked to shift the branch to a safer place with at least enough escape passages. This is required to be done immediately.

KHALID HASAN Islamabad