Daily Times

Despite strict instructions from the provincial government, illegal constructions continue unabated in Rawalpindi.

The building inspectors of the Municipal Corporation of Rawalpindi (MCR) are allegedly involved in these illegal constructions. An under construction plaza at Ghosia Chowk, Dhok Kala Khan is architected with shops in the basement which was allocated for parking. Another plaza is under construction at Dhok Kashmirian Chowk without having setbacks and parking area.

Similarly, construction of shops going on at Farooq-e-Azam Road in clear violation of the local government building laws, while construction of two commercial buildings is in final stages at Zafarul Haq Road.

A large number of commercial buildings, markets and shops have been constructed in Kabbar Market, also known as Choor Gali, Dhok Khabba, Bangash Colony, Railway Workshop Road, Dhok Matkeyal and other areas of the city without having approved building plan and violating building laws.

Sources said that officials of MCR allegedly get bribe money to allow illegal constructions. The public body faces loss of millions of rupees due to illegal constructions every year.

An inquiry regarding illegal constructions in the city is also going on at the Directorate of Anti-Corruption Establishment. Sources said that officials of the MCR planning department are doing efforts to compromise with the applicant as they have done earlier.

It is pertinent to mention that almost all shopping centers in the city have illegally constructed shops in the parking areas of the buildings due to which the visitors park their vehicles on the roadside which causes the traffic jam.

Deputy Commissioner Dr Umer Jehangir said that notices have been issued to all shopping centre owners to vacate the basements or other places which were earmarked for parking as per their approved plan. The operation has started in Murree to get these parking spaces back.

When contacted, MCR Chief Officer Shafqat Raza said the operation against illegal constructions and encroachments is going on in the city.

“We have retrieved parking space in eight shopping malls on Murree Road,” he said.

Published in Daily Times, December 12^th 2018.