MURREE, Dec 15: The committee, formed by Punjab Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif to investigate the illegal construction activity during the last eight years, submitted its report to the Supreme Court as well as the chief minister.

The committee comprised Executive District Officer (EDO) and Services Hafizabad Chaudhry Ghazanfar, District Officer Roads Jhelum Malik Riaz, Design Engineer Planning and Works Lahore Tahir Hamid, Assistant Director Local Government Rawalpindi Allah Ditta and Deputy Director Housing Kotli Sattian Mr. Satti.

This was stated by Tehsil Officer Revenue Imran Khan Niazi.

According to the term of references (TOR), the committee was to investigate the details of the approved maps between September 2003 and December 2006, details of the violations of the maps from 2001 to August 2008, physically check the buildings, detect violation of by-laws, partial violation of by-laws and suggest remedies for the illegally-constructed buildings.

According to the report 105 buildings were declared illegal and dangerous. As many as 38 were very dangerous and the committee suggested that they be demolished, 39 buildings were constructed without any map (approved and not approved) and 65 were constructed illegally. The committee suggested that first these illegal buildings should be razed.

The tehsil officer revenue, Mr Niazi, said no technical committee had so far been established to physically examine and check the quality of work carried out on the buildings.

He suggested that those owners of illegal or dangerous buildings, who could produce certificates from the universities of engineering and technology, Taxila and Lahore, and Nespak should be fined and the illegal portion of the building be legalised.

Mr Niazi said the report had been submitted to the Supreme Court which would now decide on the demolition of the illegal buildings.

It is mentioned here that a large number of illegal buildings were constructed during the last eight years with the connivance of the staff and authorities of TMA.

Opinion

Editorial

Islamabad march
Updated 27 Nov, 2024

Islamabad march

WITH emotions running high, chaos closes in. As these words were being written, rumours and speculation were all...
Policing the internet
27 Nov, 2024

Policing the internet

IT is chilling to witness how Pakistan — a nation that embraced the freedoms of modern democracy, and the tech ...
Correcting sports priorities
27 Nov, 2024

Correcting sports priorities

IT has been a lingering battle that has cast a shadow over sports in Pakistan: who are the national sports...
Kurram ceasefire
Updated 26 Nov, 2024

Kurram ceasefire

DESPITE efforts by the KP government to bring about a ceasefire in Kurram tribal district, the bloodletting has...
Hollow victory
26 Nov, 2024

Hollow victory

THE conclusion of COP29 in Baku has left developing nations — struggling with the mounting costs of climate...
Infrastructure schemes
26 Nov, 2024

Infrastructure schemes

THE government’s decision to finance priority PSDP schemes on a three-year rolling basis is a significant step...