APROPOS news report ‘Influential people disregard ban on construction in Murree’ (June 4), I would narrate my personal experience with the Town Municipal Administration (TMA), Murree.

I purchased a 10-marla plot at Kashmir Point in 2006 to have a cottage after my retirement.

I retired from civil service in 2009 but to my utter surprise when I approached the TMA for approval of the map, it informed me of the ban on construction in Murree.

I thought this may be due to the earthquake in October 2005 and needed revision of the building code.

The building code has since been revised and approved by Nespak and the ministry of housing since 2007 and a series of seminars were held by the National Housing Authority, ministry of housing and works to publicise the revised version of it for public.

In this connection all provincial capitals and Islamabad, were selected for the purpose. To add insult to injury, the ban is still in vogue in Murree.

I fail to understand why the construction of wooden cottage is not allowed. The ban has resulted in manifold cost escalation and other rental costs.

The Punjab chief minister should reconsider his decision and allow construction in Murree in line with the new building code duly approved by the ministry of housing and works/Nespak.

This will usher in better job opportunities and commercial activities for the residents of Murree who are victims of an adverse cold season for more than eight months a year.

Their business period is far less than those belonging to Lahore. The government claims to be business-friendly but they are not so for the poor residents of Murree.

M. Yousaf Alvi
Islamabad

Published in Dawn, June 10th, 2014