SAHIWAL: The Metropolitan Corporation (MC) has identified more than 5,500 commercial buildings to verify their status.

The Metropolitan Corporation has divided the buildings among four zones in 12 urban union councils. The survey has been going on for the last two months.

Commissioner Javed Akhter Mahmood said the Metropolitan Corporation’s Planning Wing had identified violations including changes in approved building design, illegal parking land, and nonpayment of conversion fees from private to commercial status.

Javed Anwer, Municipal Planning Officer, said 44 buildings had been sealed over violations and the Metropolitan Corporation received Rs23.8 million fines from owners.

The commissioner who ordered this survey said it was a huge exercise and fine amount might be staggering once the survey was completed.

He said the exercise was meant to assess the kind of violations committed by commercial building owners and whether these violations could be challenged and pursued under the law.

Published in Dawn, November 25th, 2022