The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday issued notices to Punjab chief secretary, Lahore Development Authority (LDA) director general, City District Government Lahore (CDGL) administrator and others for July 5 on a petition seeking action against LDA officials for loss of lives in LDA plaza blaze.
Petitioner’s counsel Noshab A Khan submitted that the LDA constructed the plaza almost 35 years ago in violation of building rules. He said it was alarming to mention that fire or smoke detectors and fire hydrants were not installed in the building and it did not have fire exits.
The petitioner also pointed out that helicopters faced problems in rescuing the people from the rooftop due to installation of towers on the building rooftop. He mentioned that Rescue 1122 was informed almost 40 minutes after the fire erupted and it did not have appropriate ladders which made it impossible to rescue those trapped on the 9th floor or on the rooftop.
The petitioner said the fire had burnt important data of various land grabbing cases which might benefit certain individuals or groups. He prayed the court to issue directions for initiation of criminal proceedings against the present and former director general of the LDA for the loss of lives and billions of rupees.
