01-12-2010, 02:45 PM
LAHORE - The Lahore Development Authority (LDA) has tactfully salvaged the 260 high-rise plazas from ongoing massive demolition drive justifying its strong connivance with builder mafia amid arrests of 11 LDA officials, fierce legal war by builders with the support of political parties, CM’s rebuff against demolition in return of fines and compensations to shops and flat owners.
Sources in LDA revealed that commission constituted by the Supreme Court inspected 724 buildings constructed in violation of building bye-laws and approval of structural designs. The commission recommended for total demolition of 149 buildings and partial demolition of 402 buildings. Hence, commission recommended to partially and completely demolish 551 illegal buildings. However, Director General LDA Umer Rasool has submitted in his application to get FIR registered in Anti-Corruption that in the light of orders of SC, commission inspected 450 buildings. The numbers of buildings recommended by the commission to be partially demolished were 214 while those, which would be demolished completely were 77, application said. Hence total buildings recommended to be partially and completely demolished were 291. The application further said commission suggested no action were required on 150 buildings.
Comparison between 551 buildings (actually recommended by commission to be partially recommended) and 291 buildings (mentioned by DG LDA) makes stark revelations that 260 buildings have been skipped from the demolition list. Sources revealed that rescue attempt had been made to protect owners of 260 plazas under clandestine deal.
Meanwhile among LDA’s controlled areas, Shah Alam Market topped in housing illegal buildings as around 70 illegal plazas had been constructed in the locality. Sources said high-rise commission had recommended to completely demolish 70 illegal plazas in Shah Alam out of total 140 buildings. However, no action has been launched in the area raising doubts in the credibility of ongoing demolition operation, sources said.
When talked to LDA spokesman said all the figures regarding partially and completely demolition besides clearing 150 buildings presented in the FIR were based on recommendations submitted by commission in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.
Sources in LDA revealed that commission constituted by the Supreme Court inspected 724 buildings constructed in violation of building bye-laws and approval of structural designs. The commission recommended for total demolition of 149 buildings and partial demolition of 402 buildings. Hence, commission recommended to partially and completely demolish 551 illegal buildings. However, Director General LDA Umer Rasool has submitted in his application to get FIR registered in Anti-Corruption that in the light of orders of SC, commission inspected 450 buildings. The numbers of buildings recommended by the commission to be partially demolished were 214 while those, which would be demolished completely were 77, application said. Hence total buildings recommended to be partially and completely demolished were 291. The application further said commission suggested no action were required on 150 buildings.
Comparison between 551 buildings (actually recommended by commission to be partially recommended) and 291 buildings (mentioned by DG LDA) makes stark revelations that 260 buildings have been skipped from the demolition list. Sources revealed that rescue attempt had been made to protect owners of 260 plazas under clandestine deal.
Meanwhile among LDA’s controlled areas, Shah Alam Market topped in housing illegal buildings as around 70 illegal plazas had been constructed in the locality. Sources said high-rise commission had recommended to completely demolish 70 illegal plazas in Shah Alam out of total 140 buildings. However, no action has been launched in the area raising doubts in the credibility of ongoing demolition operation, sources said.
When talked to LDA spokesman said all the figures regarding partially and completely demolition besides clearing 150 buildings presented in the FIR were based on recommendations submitted by commission in the Supreme Court of Pakistan.