Houses sealed, buildings razed

City administration stops operation after locals protest

RAWALPINDI:

The Rawalpindi administration on Thursday razed four buildings and sealed four houses constructed within 200 metres of Attock Oil Refinery in the Morgah area during an operation.

Rawalpindi Development Authority (RDA), Civil Defence Department (CDD) and related district administration departments took part in the operation.

During the operation, a woman attempted to stop the operation against the demolition of two houses and laid in front of the crane. Other citizens also joined her, after which the district administration stopped the operation and left.

The woman said that the affected families had spent millions of rupees on building their homes and asked why maps were passed if it was a prohibited area. She said the government should provide them with alternative housing. She said that she would not let the administration demolish their houses.

Read Illegal houses, structures razed

The locals alleged that the RDA officials first issue NOCs and approve maps after taking bribes and show up to demolish structures after high-ups issue orders. They demanded that the black sheep should also be punished for issuing NOCs and maps after taking bribes.

The operation was carried out as the federal government has banned the construction of buildings within a 200-metre radius of sensitive installations.

After the operation, officials of different departments held a joint meeting at Attock Oil Refinery, which was chaired by District Defence Officer (DDO) Talib Hussain. The officials of the police, RDA, Chakala and Rawalpindi cantonment boards, Sui Gas, WAPDA, PTCL, Attock Oil Refinery, managers of various fuel companies took part in it.

The participants reiterated to enforce the ban on all residential or commercial constructions in the area. They also banned residents standing on the roofs of three-storey buildings around the oil refinery and orders were issued to lock them.

The participants also decided to take action against government employees providing water, power, gas, or any other connection to such constructions.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 17^th, 2021.