Basic need: Court summons list of public toilets

A petition had asked the Sindh High Court to declare public toilets as fundamental human rights.

KARACHI: Counsels for a non-governmental organisation and City District Government Karachi (CDGK) must provide a list of all public toilets in the city, the Sindh High Court directed on Thursday.

A division bench, comprising justices Mushir Alam and Syed Zakir Hussain, passed this order after CDGK counsel Manzoor Ahmed failed to submit the list despite a previous court order.

The petition was moved by Rah-i-Raast Trust’s office bearer, who asked the court to declare public toilets as fundamental human rights. There are no toilets for public use at police stations, shrines, markets, playgrounds, etc, said the petitioner.

According to the petitioner, women and children suffered most due to unavailability of toilets as men usually relieve themselves, ignoring all ethical norms. The court observed that: “Manzoor Ahmed has been repeatedly directed to provide a list of public toilets being maintained by the CDGK. He should also assist as to the responsibility of agencies so as to pass an effective order.” The hearing was adjourned.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 14^th, 2011.