K-P Assembly probes demolition linked NOCs

Swati orders probe into officials who cleared buildings later razed in Swat anti-encroachment drive

PESHAWAR:

The Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly has decided to take strict action against government officials who issued No Objection Certificates (NOCs) for houses and hotels later demolished during anti-encroachment operations.

Speaker Babar Saleem Swati directed the Chairman of the Standing Committee on Local Government to take notice of the matter and initiate proceedings against those responsible. He emphasized that under the new rules, committee chairmen now have the authority to take suo motu action.

"If people's homes and hotels have been demolished, then the officers who issued NOCs for these structures are the real culprits and must also be held accountable," the Speaker stated.

During the assembly session, Provincial Minister for Housing Dr Amjad Ali explained that the post-flood anti-encroachment drive in Swat was carried out on the directives of the Chief Secretary in compliance with a Peshawar High Court ruling. He added that although the provincial government respects judicial decisions, it would have been better if government representatives and departments were taken into confidence beforehand.

Highlighting the impact on the tourism-dependent economy of Swat and Kalam, Dr Amjad noted that five hotels and a petrol pump had been demolished, leaving many establishments vacant. He urged the Standing Committee to investigate whether NOCs were granted in exchange for bribes, insisting that such officers "deserve exemplary punishment."

Meanwhile, the Assembly was informed of another key policy decision: the provincial government will permanently end the practice of hiring Class-IV employees in exchange for land donations for schools. Instead, funds will be allocated in the upcoming Annual Development Programme (ADP) to purchase land for educational institutions. Provincial Education Minister Faisal Tarkai confirmed the shift while responding to a call-attention notice, adding that landowners who previously offered land would be given preference in employment on merit.

During the same session, lawmakers also raised concerns about delays in payments to contractors of a girls' school in Galyat, the shortage of medical staff at Tangi Hospital where a murder victim's body remained unattended for hours, and the plight of families affected by a lightning strike in Dilawari Bala. The Health Advisor assured the House that negligent hospital staff would face action and that doctors assigned to other posts would be recalled to their original duty stations.

Earlier, for the first time in its history, the Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa Assembly commenced its proceedings with the national anthem following the approval of new assembly rules and regulations.