LAHORE, Oct 6: Chief Minister Shahbaz Sharif on Monday issued orders for immediate suspension of LDA officers who failed to demolish plazas and high-rise buildings constructed in violation of the law.

According to a handout issued here, the chief minister, who was presiding over a meeting on illegal plazas and high-rise buildings, issued instructions for an explanation from the LDA director-general who was working during that period.

He ordered a complete survey of all petrol pumps and gas stations in the provincial capital and formation of a three-member committee for this purpose.

He issued instructions for a park over 1,000 kanal land in Johar Town. Sharif said illegally constructed plazas and high-rise buildings were causing a number of problems for people besides heavy traffic jams.

He said most city roads had become impassable because of haphazard construction, adding the departments which allowed construction of these illegal plazas were equally responsible for this mess.

He said 45 illegal plazas were identified in the city, but LDA officers did not demolish these despite the fact that their owners had no stay orders. He said those who behaved irresponsibly did not deserve any leniency and they should be suspended from service immediately.

The chief minister formed a committee consisting of Khwaja Ahmad Hassaan, Khwaja Imran Raza and the LDA director general for a survey of illegally constructed buildings and petrol pumps. He said the government was paying special attention to provision of recreational facilities to citizens.

He directed the LDA director general to handover 1,000 kanal state land to PHA for a park in Johar Town.

Briefing the chief minister earlier, the LDA director general said the Supreme Court constituted a three-member commission for inspection of high-rise buildings.

He said the commission inspected 451 buildings and submitted a report on 299 buildings to the Supreme Court. The commission recommended demolition of 45 illegally constructed buildings, he added.