12-31-2009, 01:24 PM
LAHORE - Criticising the Governor Punjab’s remarks on demolition of illegal plazas, Provincial Law Minister Rana Sanaullah on Wednesday addressing a conference termed Governor Taseer’s statement as ‘unconstitutional’ and ‘illegal’. He alleged that Governor’s remarks had created confusion among the masses about the ongoing drive to raze illegal structures in the provincial metropolis, adding that his statement fell under contempt of court, as the demolition campaign was being executed on Supreme Court’s orders.
He regretted that the Governor did not follow the constitutional path by seeking information about the demolition process from the Punjab government, but instead resorted to visiting the sites where illegal structures were being knocked down. He negated the very impression given by the Governor that “through demolitions under court’s order, the City is being converted into a graveyard and will bar investors from investing and hit ordinary citizens as well.”
The Minister said that action was being taken only against 20 plazas - 12 in Lahore Development Authority (LDA)’s, and eight in City District Government (CDG)’s jurisdiction, adding that of them five were being completely demolished for committing ‘non-compoundable offence’.
“After the apex court vacated the stay orders, the provincial government was bound to implement recommendations of the (Justice retired) Kiyani Commission instituted under the court orders,” he recalled and added that the Commission had recommended action against 724 building in LDA and 474 in CDGL jurisdiction, of them 150 and 147 required complete demolition, respectively. “By accepting the Governor’s advice of just fining owners of illegal buildings, the government cannot close its eyes to the non-compoundable crimes, as weak structures may cause eventuality anytime,” Sana maintained.
For protecting interest of small investors, he informed, the Chief Minister had formed a committee under Justice ® Amer Raza Khan to see how the individuals, who had purchased shops in illegal plazas, could be compensated. He insisted that no plaza would be razed where common people were doing business, unless a way-out could be derived to ensure their livelihood from other sources. “The Punjab government is ready even to legislate on the subject as well as seeking directions from the apex court for the compensation,” he maintained.
Replying to a query, he said that 34 officials of the LDA and around 250 of the CDGL had been suspended for conniving with the plaza mafia and their cases were being referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment.
He regretted that the Governor did not follow the constitutional path by seeking information about the demolition process from the Punjab government, but instead resorted to visiting the sites where illegal structures were being knocked down. He negated the very impression given by the Governor that “through demolitions under court’s order, the City is being converted into a graveyard and will bar investors from investing and hit ordinary citizens as well.”
The Minister said that action was being taken only against 20 plazas - 12 in Lahore Development Authority (LDA)’s, and eight in City District Government (CDG)’s jurisdiction, adding that of them five were being completely demolished for committing ‘non-compoundable offence’.
“After the apex court vacated the stay orders, the provincial government was bound to implement recommendations of the (Justice retired) Kiyani Commission instituted under the court orders,” he recalled and added that the Commission had recommended action against 724 building in LDA and 474 in CDGL jurisdiction, of them 150 and 147 required complete demolition, respectively. “By accepting the Governor’s advice of just fining owners of illegal buildings, the government cannot close its eyes to the non-compoundable crimes, as weak structures may cause eventuality anytime,” Sana maintained.
For protecting interest of small investors, he informed, the Chief Minister had formed a committee under Justice ® Amer Raza Khan to see how the individuals, who had purchased shops in illegal plazas, could be compensated. He insisted that no plaza would be razed where common people were doing business, unless a way-out could be derived to ensure their livelihood from other sources. “The Punjab government is ready even to legislate on the subject as well as seeking directions from the apex court for the compensation,” he maintained.
Replying to a query, he said that 34 officials of the LDA and around 250 of the CDGL had been suspended for conniving with the plaza mafia and their cases were being referred to the Anti-Corruption Establishment.