Breaking laws: Report sought on construction violations in Galiyat
PHC issues directives to GDA DG after NAB reports illegal construction of multi-storey buildings.
The bench was informed by a GDA official that an operation has been started against 42 people who have constructed such buildings in violation of the 1996 GDA Act. PHOTO: PPI/FILE
PESHAWAR:
The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) director general (DG) has been directed to produce a comprehensive report on construction violations in the area and the negligence that made it possible. Earlier, a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) report had revealed violations in the construction of at least 42 multi-storey buildings.
The order was issued by a division bench of Peshawar High Court, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani, while hearing a petition filed against multi-storey buildings in the Galiyat area of Abbottabad district.
Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Jamil Saraf informed the bench that on the PHC’s orders, NAB had conducted an enquiry into how many residents have violated the law and constructed such houses.
The bench was informed by a GDA official that an operation has been started against 42 people who have constructed such buildings in violation of the 1996 GDA Act. Many houses were demolished in the area and soon everyone will know who is behind the negligence, he added.
The bench then directed the GDA DG to file a comprehensive report regarding said violations to determine whether the negligence was caused by the builders or GDA officers.
On November 8, 2013, former PHC chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan banned the allotment of plots to any housing society without the permission of the court. The ban came after a report presented by NAB revealed many plots were illegally allotted and around 80% of the area in the region has been encroached.
The report further revealed there was no ‘master plan’ for the construction of buildings in the area and most houses have violated construction laws. It added these houses were usually owned by retired police and army officials, ministers, senators and other influential people.
The court had issued the order with directions to the K-P chief minister to form a cabinet committee comprising of ministers for forest, environment, irrigation, public health, communication and works and local government, and the GDA DG. The committee was tasked with forming a master plan for the construction of any type of building in Galiyat, and investigating corruption in allotment of plots. The latter comes after allegations that plots of high-market value are sold to influential people who transfer them to dependents to avoid prosecution by NAB.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.
The Galiyat Development Authority (GDA) director general (DG) has been directed to produce a comprehensive report on construction violations in the area and the negligence that made it possible. Earlier, a National Accountability Bureau (NAB) Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P) report had revealed violations in the construction of at least 42 multi-storey buildings.
The order was issued by a division bench of Peshawar High Court, comprising Justice Yahya Afridi and Justice Asadullah Khan Chamkani, while hearing a petition filed against multi-storey buildings in the Galiyat area of Abbottabad district.
Deputy Prosecutor General Muhammad Jamil Saraf informed the bench that on the PHC’s orders, NAB had conducted an enquiry into how many residents have violated the law and constructed such houses.
The bench was informed by a GDA official that an operation has been started against 42 people who have constructed such buildings in violation of the 1996 GDA Act. Many houses were demolished in the area and soon everyone will know who is behind the negligence, he added.
The bench then directed the GDA DG to file a comprehensive report regarding said violations to determine whether the negligence was caused by the builders or GDA officers.
On November 8, 2013, former PHC chief justice Dost Muhammad Khan banned the allotment of plots to any housing society without the permission of the court. The ban came after a report presented by NAB revealed many plots were illegally allotted and around 80% of the area in the region has been encroached.
The report further revealed there was no ‘master plan’ for the construction of buildings in the area and most houses have violated construction laws. It added these houses were usually owned by retired police and army officials, ministers, senators and other influential people.
The court had issued the order with directions to the K-P chief minister to form a cabinet committee comprising of ministers for forest, environment, irrigation, public health, communication and works and local government, and the GDA DG. The committee was tasked with forming a master plan for the construction of any type of building in Galiyat, and investigating corruption in allotment of plots. The latter comes after allegations that plots of high-market value are sold to influential people who transfer them to dependents to avoid prosecution by NAB.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 5th, 2014.