ISLAMABAD, Nov 8: Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz has directed the housing and works ministry to submit a draft of revised building codes within a month to ensure that all future construction complies with safety standards.

Presiding over a meeting at the PM’s House on Tuesday, he said the government would not ban construction of multi-storeyed buildings.

The prime minister asked the Capital Development Authority to improve enforcement of laws and its inspection and supervision mechanism to ensure that there was no sub-standard construction. He instructed the CDA to improve its system of checking construction material and building designs. He also asked the authority to have professionally sound lawyers to ensure enforcement of laws.

He said the CDA chairman should have a more interactive policy and continuously disseminate information to the public about buildings and housing societies which did not meet the authority’s requirements.

The CDA submitted a proposal for rehabilitation of slum area dwellers in Zone 4. It was decided that the plan would be submitted to the cabinet.

Housing and Works Minister Syed Safwanullah, Interior Minister Aftab Ahmed Khan Sherpao, CDA Chairman Kamran Lashari and other officials attended the meeting.—APP

Our Staff reporter adds: Talking to newsmen during a visit to Shifa International hospital, the prime minister said the government was working on a five-year plan of reconstruction of infrastructure, houses and government buildings in the earthquake-hit areas.

He welcomed appointment of a special envoy of the United Nations in Pakistan to coordinate UN efforts to mitigate the sufferings of the affected people.

The premier termed the trauma faced by the affected people more serious than the damage to infrastructure and said it needed urgent attention.

Responding to a question about the Nov 19 donors’ conference, he said the country would seek soft loans as well as grants, besides sponsorship, to rebuild villages, houses, hospitals, schools and towns. He said that initially each family was being paid Rs100,000 for the loss of lives, while compensation for more than one death in a family would be paid in the 2nd phase.