Construction industry: universities and colleges directed to launch short courses

Punjab Governor Lieutenant General Khalid Maqbool (Retd) has asked the colleges and universities to launch short courses of para-engineering and para-architecture to promote construction industry in the country. He was speaking at the inaugural ceremony of Architects Convention 2005, which was organised by the Institute of Architects of Pakistan (IAP) on the theme of 'Architectural Heritage' here on Monday.
IAP also organised exhibition in which over 50 top ranking products of the construction market in Pakistan produced locally and internationally were put on display at 60 stalls.
The governor said the architects should have decision-making role in the construction of any building. He stressed the need for preserving architecture of 'Indo-Islam', which depicts its civilisation instead of blindly following the European architecture.
Speaking on the occasion, IAP Lahore Chapter Chairman Dr Shakeel Qureshi said in all developed nations of the world, one legal body issues license to an architect who is allowed to practice anywhere in the country. In Pakistan, Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners (PCATP) is the legal body, which registers architects who are eligible to practice architecture, he added. Hence, any architect registered with the Council should be allowed to practice anywhere in the country without requiring multiple licensing with different building control authorities', he maintained.