MURREE: Residents of Rawat submitted an application with the Assistant Commissioner of Murree against a number of illegal multi-storey buildings being constructed in the area.

In the application, available with Dawn, the residents said that the buildings are violating their privacy, causing landsliding and polluting their water streams with sewerage.

They noted that the only source of fresh water is natural streams and wells which have been badly polluted with sewerage and locals are forced to use contaminated water.

The residents said that the contaminated water is becoming the source of diseases among the population. They warned that if no action was taken against illegal construction in the area, they would be forced to take action themselves.

Since the last eight years, all types of construction in Murree has been banned by the Punjab government but the ban is virtually ineffective. Local people are not allowed to construct even small houses, while construction by commercial enterprises carries on, unabated.

Most multi-storey buildings are being constructed by influential people, in sheer violation of the Punjab government`s bylaws. Officials are routinely bribed and political clout is used to gain the support of law enforcement agencies to carry out construction.

The construction not only poses threat to the environment but also causes problems for the local population.

Various institutions, including the Supreme Court, have attempted to stop illegal construction in Murree tehsil but no measure has proved effective against politically influential interests.

When Assistant Commissioner and Murree Town Administrator Tahir Farooq was contacted, he confirmed the submission of the application by the residents and said he has assured them that legal action will be taken against those violating the law.

However, he pointed out that when the by-laws were made, there were a number of areas which were not included in the jurisdiction of the TMA and so he is unable to take action against construction.

Residents appealed to the senior Punjab govt officials and the judiciary to take notice of the havoc being wrecked in Murree. Correspondent