Daily Times

Contrary to the vision of Prime Minister Imran Khan, the political influence of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) parliamentarians is on its peak in the government departments, as the building superintendent in the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi (MCR) has been changed twice within a week due to political influence.

According to details, soon after the government changed, major changes were made in the administration of the Municipal Corporation Rawalpindi. Municipal Officer Planning (MOP) Shehzad Haider and Superintendent Haji Muhammad Afzal were transferred to other departments while the multiple building inspectors were also transferred to different departments.

Abdul Salam was transferred from Jhelum to MCR as MOP while Farezan Khan replaced Haji Muhammad Afzal as the building superintendent.

Sources said that a member of National Assembly elected on PTI ticket has played an important role in appointment of the said officials.

Last week, Haji Muhammad Afzal was again posted as building superintended at MCR and took the charge, but after only four days, the PTI MNA again met the commissioner – who is currently administrator of the MCR – and revised the transfer order of Haji Afzal and again posted Farezan Khan as building superintended.

The objective of these changes was to control the ongoing illegal construction and to take action against the illegally constructed buildings.

Despite the transfers of officers and changes in the administration the illegal construction continues in the city. Contrary to the building bay laws, shops are constructed in a constructed commercial building at Ghosia Chowk, Dhok Kala Khan and a market comprising more than ten shops is constructed at Farooq e Azam Road. Similarly, the construction of an illegal commercial plaza is in the final stage at F-Block Satellite Town near Katarian Market. Moreover, illegal constructions also continue at 6th Road near Suzuki car show room.

It is pertinent to mention that Former Town Nazim, Chaudhary Farooz Azam has submitted multiple applications along with the location and photos of more than 300 illegally constructed buildings to the Chief Officer MCR. While another citizen namely Nadeem Umer has also filed an application regarding illegal construction along with the photos and location of each building, but the MCR administration has kept these applications under the table and did not take any action against law violators and those officers who are supporting these illegal constructions.

Despite repeated attempts, Chief Officer MCR Khewaja Imran Safdar could not be approached to get his version over the matter.