MCL fails to stop illegal constructions

LAHORE:Metropolitan Corporation Lahore (MCL) has failed to stop illegal construction of a commercial plaza being built in the garb of approved residential maps.

Recently, the MCL has approved a residential map of a building opposite Yadgar Flyover whereas originally the building was being constructed as a commercial plaza. The open construction of such a violation in front of the Yadgar Flyover has raised serious questions about the monitoring system and performance of the officers of the MCL including its Chief Officer Ali Bukhari.

Sources in MCL claimed that a political secretary of an influential politician was behind many ongoing illegal constructions in MCL jurisdiction including this building. Interestingly, Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz ordered clearance of building material from the city roads but in case of this building the owners/builders placed construction material on the road, but MCL didn’t take any action. MCL sources claimed that no permission was taken from various authorities such as LDA, environment and other relevant departments including the deputy commissioner for this construction.

It is pertinent to mention here that three floors of this illegal commercial plaza were constructed but didn’t come into the notice of MCL Chief Officer and ZOP Data Town. Sources claimed that the contractors also did not bother to leave spaces as per the building bylaws including fifteen feet front building line. This means that after construction was complete, there will be no space for parking. Metropolitan Officer Planning (MOP) Muhammad Salim had earlier sealed the illegal construction and stopped construction on it but later the construction restarted. The News contacted MCL Chief Officer Ali Bukhari and sent him picture as well as the approval letter of the building but he didn’t bother to reply.

The News later contacted the newly-appointed Deputy Commissioner Musa Raza who is also the Administrator of the MCL. On the instructions of the DC, MCL officials reached the illegal building, stopped the ongoing construction work and sealed the building. The DC said an FIR will also be registered against the owners for violating building laws.