SWABI, Oct 23: Experts on Sunday called upon the government to ensure quality in construction of buildings to avert Oct 8 earthquake-like devastation in future.

They were speaking at a programme on ‘How to plan construction in the post-earthquake period?’ organized by the Abaseen Union of Journalists.

Engineer Munibur Rehman said the government had failed to construct buildings according to approved plans as everyone from contractor to clerk was involved in corruption.

“The plan of a building is drastically different from the actual construction and material which is sanctioned is never used in the construction of buildings,” he claimed.

“The communication and works department is one of the most corrupt departments,” he said.

Engineer Mohammad Usman in his speech asked why substandard construction had been allowed and why people involved in such construction had not been punished.

Prof M.U. Ali pointed out that Islamia College Peshawar had been built in 1913 but it was still in good condition.

On the other hand, he said, many college buildings made after the emergence of Pakistan had to be rebuilt for their poor condition.

Prof Mukhtiar said the use of substandard material in construction of buildings was common and added that despite the earthquake the quality of ongoing construction work had not been improved.