August 26, 2006	Saturday	Sha'aban 1, 1427

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LAHORE, Aug 25: District Nazim Mian Amer Mahmood on Friday banned ongoing construction activity in the Shahalam area, ordered sealing of under-construction buildings situated there and directed the LDA to carry out an immediate survey of plazas and multi-storey structures that had been raised in violation of building bylaws in the locality.

According to a press release, the nazim gave these instructions while supervising operation to remove rubble of the building which had collapsed on Thursday. Lahore Development Authority director-general Raja Muhammad Abbas, DCO Muhammad Ijaz, City SP Rana Ahmad Hasan and other officials concerned were also present on the occasion.

The nazim ordered sealing of the collapsed building, arrest of its owner and recovery of expenses incurred on the removal of rubble from him.

He said that the owner would also be made to pay for the losses to life and property of other people. A number of people had lost their cars, pick-ups and motorcycles in the building collapse.

Mian Amer directed the LDA DG that in the light of approved site plan of plazas, a comprehensive survey report should be prepared about illegally constructed stories and basements in the area. He directed the DCO that officials of the district revenue department should later verify the report prepared by the LDA. He also ordered setting up of a rescue camp by the Civil Defence on the spot.

The nazim told journalists present on the spot that in view of public complaints regarding rampant illegal constructions in the Shahalam area, the City District Government Lahore had been requesting local traders for the last one and a half year to refrain from the practice that had endangered human lives but to no avail.

After the tragic incident, the CDGL, he said, had decided to take action itself.

Mian Amer, who is also LDA chairman, warned the officials of strict action if found involved in any illegal activity.

He regretted that for minting easy money the plaza owners in the area had been involved in erecting additional storeys and digging basements of high rise buildings, without consulting engineers. The CDGL had taken the initiative of compiling the record of such plazas for avoiding such incidents in future, he said.