MUZAFFARGARH: A Rs112 million new building of a police station needs repairs even before it could be handed over to the department.

The buildings department undertook the task of constructing a police station’s new building and the contractor allegedly used substandard material resulting in dilapidation.

Chowk Qureshi SHO Muhammad Kaleem Gadhi said he brought the matter into the notice of the district police officer through a report in which he complained that the building was ready last year but the contractor fled after being found responsible for using substandard material.

He said the buildings department did not hand over the facility to police though funds had been drawn from the department.

He said he remained in touch with sub engineer Shahid Shah who did not give a positive response. He said the building remained unused and its doors and roofs had been damaged.

A buildings department senior officer, Hafiz Shahid Iqbal, said he would engage the contractor to undertake the repairs where necessary. He said he had recently assumed charge of the office and could not speak on the issue.

Executive Engineer (Buildings Department) Humayun Masroor Khan said he could not take action against the contractors because of political backing they enjoyed.

He said three new buildings of police stations were ready to be handed over to the department.

Commissioner Tahir Khursheed said he would hold an inquiry and punish those found guilty.

Published in Dawn, October 19th, 2018