US embassy complex's height triggers fears off diplomatic stand-off between US, Pak

Islamabad, Mar 22(ANI): The revision of height of the new American embassy complex in Islamabad has sparked off fears of a diplomatic stand-off between the United States and Pakistan.

The city managers have decided to limit the height of the new US embassy complex to four storeys instead of seven after a local intelligence agency expressed concerns on the issue, a source privy to the development told the Dawn.

"We will definitely take appropriate action and will ask US authorities to stop construction of the embassy complex till further decision is taken by the CDA in this regard. Presently enforced building by-laws were approved in 2007 when I was not in the CDA but I will bring US embassy's building plan again to the CDA board for revision," The Dawn quoted CDA Chairman Farkhand Iqbal, as saying.

The blueprint of the building was approved in January 16 2012 by a committee comprising officials of the CDA, representatives of Planning, Emergency and Disaster Management and members nominated by the Pakistan Council of Architects and Town Planners.

"The committee which approved it was satisfied with various features presented in the construction plans, which included an energy efficient design with the facilities of rain-water harvesting and sewage treatment plant," an official said. (ANI)