Desalination plant case: BHC issues notices to authorities

QUETTA: It is common to find particles of fish and other marine life along with some sand and salt in water being supplied from the desalination plant in Balochistan’s port city of Gwadar. While hearing a petition against supply of contaminated water from the plant, Balochistan High Court (BHC) Turbat Bench on Wednesday, asked the authorities concerned to submit an explanation by January 19. The bench comprising Justice Shakeel Ahmed Baloch and Justice Hashim Khan Kakar was hearing the petition submitted by Sabra Islam Advocate wherein Vice Chairman Balochistan Bar Council Qaira Shah Advocate, and other advocates appeared. The plant set up at a cost of Rs1 billion was supposed to supply two million gallons per day (MGD), but it was only providing 0.3 MGD. The bench also questioned as to why no filters were fixed with the plant to stop fish and other sea waste entering the drinking water. Commissioner Makran, DC Gwadar were issued notices in this regard.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 7^th, 2016.