LAHORE, Sept 20: The Lahore Development Authority on Thursday plugged the entire sewerage system of the EME-DHA housing scheme at link canal (Multan Road) after the latter started draining out its sewage/rainwater through sewer lines of LDA-Avenue-1.

Both the parties reportedly reached a state of confrontation when the local police officials intervened in the matter after the LDA administration complained them about registration of a case against the EME society for reopening the trunk sewer line and disposing water through avenue-1 sewer system.

“Our society was launched and developed before LDA-Avenue-1 after we completed all legal formalities, including payment of requisite government fees and taxes etc,” EME Chief Engineer Colonel (retired) Zafar told Dawn. He said previously the trunk sewer line was laid out for the EME society alone and it was mutually agreed between both the parties that EME would drain out its water in its empty plots till completion of the avenue-I sewerage system and water disposal station.

He said after construction and filling of most of the plots, there was no option for the EME except to drain out the water in avenue-1 drainage system. “As agreed we are even ready to pay the tax whatever they (LDA people) demand. But now they are making the procedure tough and lengthy, causing problems for our residents.”

He said the LDA had again plugged EME sewer line. He demanded of the Punjab chief minister to look into the issue and direct that the LDA help the EME in draining out its water.

LDA Director (Estate Management-Avenue-1) Rao Muhammad Fazal told this reporter that the EME administration was forcibly and unlawfully using the avenue-1 sewer system and under-developed plots to drain out the water. “We twice plugged the EME’s sewerage system, but the officials there opened it,” he said.

Fazal said he had asked the EME officials to resolve the issue by paying the royalty fee to LDA for using the avenue-1 scheme.

Till the filing of this report late night, the LDA and EME officials were on the site to resolve the issue after the police reportedly stopped the EME management from draining sewage through avenue-1 sewer lines.

LAHORE, Sept 20: Several parties have planned processions in the city on Friday (today) in protest against an anti-Islam video.