RAWALPINDI: Two building inspectors from the Rawalpindi Municipal Corporation (RMC) were suspended for allowing unauthorised construction in the city.

An inquiry has begun against the officials under the Punjab Employees Efficiency, Discipline and Accountability (PEEDA) Act, and the matter was forwarded to the Punjab local government department.

The officials were suspended after a surprise visit by Chief Municipal Officer Khalid Goraya to Dhoke Hassu and the Kashmiri Bazaar area, during which he saw many under-construction buildings.

During his checking, Mr Goraya found two commercial buildings that were being constructed without approval of their building plans by the civic authority.

He asked the owners for an explanation, and was told they began work with the approval of building inspectors from their areas.

Mr Goraya then suspended the inspectors and asked for action to be started against them under the PEEDA Act.

When contacted, Mr Goraya said unauthorised construction had been increasing in the city, and was the subject of many complaints.

He said he spotted illegal construction during his visit to Dhoke Hassu and Kashmiri Bazaar near Novelty Cinema.

Published in Dawn, October 20th, 2017