Punjab assembly: New Walled City Authority to protect heritage sites

House also passes bills on katchi abadis, govt housing and evacuee property.

LAHORE:

The, Punjab Assembly amended the Walled City of Lahore Bill 2011 on Thursday creating an authority to look after the heritage sites in the area and specifying penalties for damaging buildings or setting up encroachments.

The bill moved by Law Minister Rana Sanaullah was passed by a majority vote setting aside the amendments sought by Dr Samia Amjad of the opposition.

The bill calls for the establishment of a Walled City Authority responsible for conservation, planning and development, regulation and management of the Walled City.

The authority would consist of the chief minister as chairman, chief secretary as vice-chairman, the Planning and Development chairman as director general, the finance secretary, the Heritage Board chairman, the head of Lahore’s local government, and four experts.

Under the amendments, a person who damages property in the Walled City can be sentenced to up to a year in jail and fined up to a million rupees.

Erecting unauthorised structures, demolishing or altering a building, setting up an encroachment, or conducting an unauthorised commercial activity in the Walled City have also been made offences.

Dr Amjad proposed amendments in the bill but when they were brought before the house for consideration, there was only one other opposition member in attendance. The treasury passed the bill with a majority vote.

The house passed five other bills on Thursday: the Punjab Katchi Abadis Amendment Bill 2012, Punjab Public Defenders Service Act (Repeal) Bill 2011, Punjab Government Servants Housing Foundation Amendment Bill 2011, Settlement Commissioners Bill 2011 and the Evacuee Property and Displaced Persons Amendment Bill.

The sitting was suspended for one hour before the legislation was passed after the lack of quorum was pointed out. However, the treasury was able to muster up the required number of members during the break and take up its agenda.

The business of the house started with questions for the Auqaf Department. After the question hour, Sajida Mir of the PPP called for legislation against acid attacks on women since it was International Women’s Day.

She said that acid attacks on women must be stopped and suggested that the sale of acid be subjected to licensing.

She said the government should also set up skill development centres in the province. Opposition members Khadija Omar and Dr Amjad also urged the government to take concrete steps for the uplift of women.

The house also took up call attention notices from various members and resolved adjournment motions and privilege motions on Thursday.

Published in The Express Tribune, March 9^th, 2012.