Illegal constructions razed by MCL being rebuilt

LAHORE: Completion of illegal constructions after being demolished has become a common practice in the jurisdiction of Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL), The News has learnt.

In a recent move, MCL’s Zonal Officer Moazam Mustafa conducted an operation in January 2024 near Shalimar Town office and demolished several houses being constructed on an alleged illegal subdivision.

However, recently the same houses were re-constructed but MCL remained silent, which raised serious questions over the post-operation surveillance and monitoring of the corporation.

Sources in MCL claimed that a number of similar illegal constructions demolished in an operation have been constructed. Sources further claimed that timely action against re-construction of demolished structures was not ensured by the MCL’s top management.

The News has sent pictures/videos of the above mentioned constructions to Zonal Officer Moazam Mustafa and asked him that these illegal constructions were going on near Shalimar Town office and he had demolished them earlier but again they were near completion, but he didn’t reply.

Talking to The News, MCL Chief Office Syed Ali Bukhari said there were six to seven houses, which were under-construction. He said he had sought a report from Zonal Officer and directed him to demolish the said houses. To a question, he said action will also be taken against the said officer. He said he will look into the issue and seek a report from Moazam Mustafa.

It is pertinent to mention here that the Punjab CM has repeatedly expressed zero tolerance towards illegal construction but such kind of incidents were happening in Lahore. A number of citizens while talking to The News said that a number of complaints regarding illegal constructions were pending with MCL, but no action was taken. A senior MCL official, on anonymity, said the Punjab government should conduct a forensic audit of all demolitions done by the MCL during the past three years so that the truth can be revealed that how many of the demolished structures were re-constructed. He said strict action should also be taken against the responsible after this forensic audit.

However, on Wednesday, Zonal Officer Nishtar Town carried out a demolition operation and demolished several illegal constructions in his jurisdiction.