A free-for-all
The fact that it was a drug factory that collapsed in Lahore gives the event a particular emotional resonance, given the recent spurious drugs case in the city. The two incidents were unrelated, yes, with the pharmaceutical sector aspect being a mere coincidence, but in a way, they are similar. They are both the result of inadequate regulatory enforcement; urban zoning laws in one case and drug inspection in the other.
The factory was constructed and was allowed to operate within a residential area. Apart from the innumerable other reasons why industrial units aren’t allowed in such localities is the one that rescue agencies are facing as this goes to press: heavy duty equipment cannot make it to the area. “Negative space” within industrial units differs from those found in residential units. In the case of the latter, bodies like the LDA have by-laws that stipulate a mere foot or two from the boundary wall whereas in industrial set ups, it is much more. And it makes sense. The likelihood of fire, the total number of people inhabiting the space etc. This is only speaking of instances like the one being discussed, when rescue work is to take place. Other aspects like biohazard could be discussed at another time, in another editorial on another sad episode.
Alas, industrial units are not the only violators of zoning laws. Commercial property, too, merits a mention. The mushrooming education sector has left Lahore and most other cities with a multitude of schools placed smack in the middle of residential areas, much to the dismay of the other residents. This also risks the lives of the very children that go to these schools.
These commercial outlets, like the drug factory in Lahore’s incident yesterday, are not operating in some grey area within the law. There’s no loophole that they have found here. It is just that laws become irrelevant in the absence of adequate enforcement. When the well-connected manage to get their concerns around the laws and inspections officials’ palms can be greased off.
