The government is likely to move a bill in the Parliament aimed at introducing new building codes to cater to all the requirements of modern construction, in the wake of colossal devastation caused by the catastrophic earthquake.
"We are actively working on a draft bill to be presented in the Parliament in the next four to six weeks for strict observance of new building codes," federal Housing and Works Minister Syed Safwanullah said, while talking to newsmen after attending the first wedding ceremony in Muzaffarabad after October 8 devastation on Thursday.
Muttahida Qaumi Movement made all the arrangements for the wedding ceremony held in Upper Chattar, Muzaffarabad. Almost all the MQM parliamentarians, besides AJK Deputy Speaker Sanaullah Qadri attended the wedding.
Talking to newsmen, Safwanullah said the new building codes would be introduced soon. Under the new codes, the soil and seismic surveys before erecting any high-rise building would be made mandatory. He said that shoddy construction and non-implementation of building codes were posing serious threat to the human lives.
To a question, Safwanullah clarified that the government has not dropped the idea of constructing multistoried buildings, saying there is no harm in construction of high-rise structures.
"There is no harm in construction of multistoried buildings. Japan is the most quake-prone country, but there are a large number of high-rise buildings," he added. He said multistoried buildings could even be built in quake-prone areas with the help of advance technology.
When asked about the steps being taken to control property prices, Safwanullah said the government has set up a committee to investigate the modus operandi of co-operative housing societies. He said the committee has compiled its report.
"We are finalising this report and it would be submitted to Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz soon," he said. Furthermore, the minister said a law is being framed to make power of attorney non-transferable.
To another question about inquiry report of Margalla Towers, the minister said, he has not received the inquiry report so far.
Meanwhile, a young couple Muhammad Kashif Kiani and Somia Shafiq got married in Uppar Chattar Colony No 2. MQM arranged their marriage in a fibre house, as their own houses were almost turned into rubble due to the earthquake.
Federal Communications Minister Shamim Siddiqui, MQM Parliamentary Leader Dr Farooq Sattar, MNAs Haider Abbas Rizvi, Devdas, Abdul Qadir Khanzada and others were also present on the occasion.
The MQM parliamentarians also visited the field hospital set up by the Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation in Muzaffarabad. MQM has set up three tentage villages in Bela Noor Shah, Old Campus and New Campus where around 1,000 quake-hit people are living.
Speaking on the occasion, MQM leader Farooq Sattar announced to construct two rehabilitation centres for survivors in Muzaffarabad and Mansehra. Moreover, 100 fibre houses would be built by Khidmat-e-Khalq Foundation along with one school.