Objections raised over construction of plazas

Residents of UC-16 in Ander Sheher worried about their children’s education

PESHAWAR: Protests have erupted over the construction of commercial plazas in the vicinity of girls schools in various localities of union council 16, in Ander Sheher of the city. Various workers of Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf have urged the government to stop work on these projects.

Residents have alleged the district government officials were involved in illegally approving the construction of commercial plazas.

Construction work in these areas has raised alarm bells among families who send their girls to the schools.

According to a statement issued on Wednesday, Tehreek-e-Ehtesab Ander Sheher President Jalil Khan believes the illegal construction of commercial plazas in residential areas has adversely impacted the lives of locals.

He was quoted as saying the construction of an eight-storey plaza right next to a girls school in the area has worried the families of girls who were enrolled at the institute.

This is largely because the windows of the plaza open to the school.

The construction was under way in various streets, including Dhaki Nalbandi, Dhaki Munawar Shah, Dhaki Dhalgaran, Thakar Das and Mohalla Raja Ram.

Jalil was cited as saying Town-I nazim Zahid Nadeem and City district nazim Arbab Muhammad Asim should initiate an enquiry against those officials who had approved the construction of commercial buildings in residential areas.

As per the statement, locals have threatened to hold a sit-in outside Asamai Gate against the district and provincial governments if an enquiry is not initiated.  The construction of the plaza is illegal as per bylaws of Peshawar Development Authority (PDA).

When contacted, the district nazim told The Express Tribune he had not given any approval for the construction of plazas in residential areas. However, he said if any commercial building is being illegally constructed, the administration will take strict action against those involved.

He added locals should identify the plazas which are being illegally constructed in the vicinity of the girls school so the administration could investigate the matter.

Published in The Express Tribune, August 25^th, 2016.