Justice (retd) Muslim visited pumping plants as part of the commission constituted by the SC to investigate the authorities' failure to provide potable drinking water, improve sanitation and curb its impact on the environment in Sindh. PHOTO: AFP
KARACHI: Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim has instructed the local government secretary and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) managing director to seek the help of the police and Rangers to ensure security of the board’s installations.
The retired Supreme Court judge and head of the apex court-appointed judicial commission to investigate poor sanitation and water supply in the province visited the Pipri, Dhabeji and Gharo pumping stations on Sunday.
He came down hard on the secretary and MD over the poor maintenance and lack of hygiene at the board’s installations. The commission sought details regarding the use of funds and extension works on water filtration plants. Various officials of the KWSB and government officials accompanied Justice (retd) Muslim on his visit to the pumping stations.
The commission inspected operations and works of the water board and took reports from senior officials. Justice (retd) Muslim inquired about the chief chemist, to which the authorities replied that the post of chief chemist was vacant. They added that an advertisement for the post had been published.
Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim-led commission to start proceedings today
Expressing surprise over water testing being done once every 15 days, the commission inquired why the tests were not conducted on a daily basis. In response the authorities said 140 million gallons of water per day was supplied to the city but barely 50% is filtered.
Seeking details of the funds provided, Justice (retd) Muslim inquired about the steps taken to upgrade the filtration plants as per the recommendations of the commission. He also voiced his dismay to the KWSB managing director over the appalling hygiene conditions at the Pipri pumping station. "You are supplying toxic water to the people," he said, ordering arrangements to ensure water quality.
He said that the Rangers and police should be deployed at pumping stations to ensure security at key installations. The commission expressed dissatisfaction at the local government secretary for not sharing details on the Dhabeji pumping station, instructing him to take swift action to supply clean drinking water to the citizens and provide a detailed report of the operations of the station.
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