New building code to help avoid losses, says Waseem
By Adnan Rafique

ISLAMABAD—Minister of State for Interior, Dr. Shahzad Waseem has said that New Building Code will help avoid destruction in wake of future ethereal calamities like earthquake.
"New Building Code is part of the government policy of framing such laws that may stop substandard and faulty construction in future and help avoid devastation like in the recent earthquake. " he said this Wednesday.
He said, on direction of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz this law will be prepared within the next one month and the government will try to get it implemented as soon as possible.
He said at present there is no suggestion under consideration of the government to stop construction of multi-storey buildings.
But, it would be ensured that substandard material is not used in such building and a particular standard is maintained.
Shahzad said the Prime Minister has issued directives to CDA officials to keep an eye on the material used in construction work and designs of the buildings to improve the construction standards.
He said the government is also formulating a policy on direction of Prime Minister Shaukat Aziz to provide masses more information about the housing societies and construction companies so that investors do not exploit the innocent people.
He said the government cannot deflect calamities but can endeavour to minimise losses and it is preparing a comprehensive policy for this purpose.
"This policy will aim at reviewing construction laws in the country and conduct survey of those areas that are volatile to earthquake like calamities and about which the experts keep predicting of such calamities," he stated.
The minister said, special heed is being paid to such areas of Azad Kashmir, NWFP and Balochistan, in this policy. He said the government is also holding an international conference in November where geologists from across the world will participate and their observations and expertise will help the government to formulate such a comprehensive policy.
"For this purpose, the government will also fully benefit from latest technologies and it is in contact with number of world recognized institutions in this regard," he added.