July 20, 2006	Thursday	Jumadi-ul-Sani 23, 1427

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LAHORE, July 19: Chief Justice of Pakistan Iftikhar Mohammad Chaudhry on Wednesday observed that the Punjab government was required to ensure legislation and framing of rules and by-laws on the construction of multi-storey commercial centers and high-rises so that their structures had the required quality, strength and amenities.

Presiding over a three-member bench of the apex court, the Chief Justice of Pakistan ordered the director-general of the Lahore Development Authority (LDA) to ensure quality construction of Boulevard Heights, a commercial plaza on the Main Boulevard, Gulberg, Lahore. The court also directed him to obtain the assistance of experts in the construction work. The court directed the DG LDA to submit his report on the next date of the hearing of a petition on Sept 12.

The apex court issued the directions while hearing a petition moved by a citizen, Farooq Hameed, complaining that the construction of the plaza was started against the rules. He stated that a pit was dug which was causing a serious threat to the other properties, including his house, where cracks had started appearing.

The apex court allowed the plaza’s construction from zero level so that there should be no loss. The court also ordered the remaining construction to be stopped till the defect was removed and the court was satisfied with the work.

The court directed the LDA chief to ensure the implementation of the rules while constructing multi-storey buildings and for this purpose the chief minister should also be conveyed the necessity of legislation and rules and by-laws in this regard. The court observed that after the earthquake, it was necessary to ensure safety against such a natural calamity.

The court observed that instead of a town planner to supervise the construction of such plazas construction, the LDA should appoint structure engineers for which the Punjab Public Service Commission should be moved. The court observed that the constructors of the drains could not be allowed to raise high-rises.

The court also directed the LDA director-general to initiate disciplinary action against officials responsible for not implementing the rules in the construction of the plaza and submit a report on next date of hearing as to what action had been taken against the negligent officials. The officials, the court directed the LDA chief, must keep in mind that action would be taken in case of violation of the rules.

The Supreme Court deplored the poor management of the LDA for having no record of multi-storey buildings, and said that there was no report from either a structure engineer or building inspector about the building’s specifications. If this was the situation on Gulberg’s Mian Boulevard, what would be the situation in other areas, like Shah Alam Market or Jauhar Town, the court remarked.