LAHORE, May 15: Small and Medium Enterprises Development Authority (Smeda) has alleged that the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) administration is accusing others to cover its incompetence and intending to take initiatives that may cause further loss to human lives and property.

In a written complaint lodged with the Punjab chief secretary, Smeda stated that its officials reached LDA Plaza on Wednesday to recover their vehicles parked at Plaza’s parking in basement but were denied access and threatened with dire consequences by Deputy Director (Admn) Ali Asghar for sending complaint of missing items from sixth floor to the inquiry committee.

The LDA deputy director did not allow Smeda officials to recover vehicles, whereas the same facility was being offered to other tenants on the occasion.

Earlier, on Monday when a few functionaries of Smeda administration were allowed access to their office on sixth floor, a number of laptops and other costly items were found missing and a complaint was lodged with the quarters concerned.

Meanwhile, LDA Secretary Akbar Nakai and Deputy Director Ali Asghar contacted Smeda Deputy General Manager Liaquat Ali Gohar and Manager Administration Ms Tania Buttar to depute their officials to coordinate installation of jacks on sixth floor.

Smeda officials regretted that keeping in view a severe life threat because of the critical situation of building, their management may not depute any official for such a risky activity.

Meanwhile, a Smeda spokesman said after the fire tragedy the custody and security of the building has been under the control of LDA&OS, especially Secretary Akbar Nakai and Deputy Director Ali Asghar, who have been handling security and rescue operation without involving tenants. They should also supervise installation of jacks at their own. Smeda will have no objection to this exercise. But, the two officers of LDA&OS have reacted negatively on this pragmatic approach of Smeda officials by initiating serious complaints against them with LDA high-ups, also stopping cooperation in recovery of Smeda’s official assets from sixth floor.