SHC serves notices on petition against unclean water supply, water theft

Petitioner claims water being supplied through illegal connections to commercial units

HYDERABAD: A citizen has taken the Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) to the Sindh High Court (SHC) over the supply of unclean water in Hyderabad and theft of water by commercial consumers in alleged connivance with the agency's officials.

On a petition of Advocate Sajjad Ahmed Chandio, the SHC sought on Monday replies from the chief secretary, Wasa officials, National Accountability Bureau (NAB) and Hyderabad police by September 17.

In his petition, Advocate Chandio maintained that while the residential consumers were being supplied unclean water, the tanker businesses were in collusion with representatives of government machinery in stealing water. "[We being the citizens have] observed that you [WASA officials] in collusion with the tanker mafia and private partners are running a parallel business on public water," read the petition.



The petitioner pointed out that hundreds of car service stations and illegal private water filtration plants, which operated mostly in residential areas, also reflected corruption of Wasa officials. He added that hotels and residential complexes that had failed to fulfil legal formalities were also being supplied water illegally by Wasa.

"... due to that huge profitable business they [Wasa officials] are intentionally avoiding to address the genuine problems of general public despite several complaints," Advocate Chandio contended. He requested the court to order the agency to immediately cut off all illegal connections to commercial places. The SHC was also requested to order NAB to conduct an inquiry into alleged corruption of Wasa officials.

The lawyer also pleaded to the SHC to appoint a judicial commissioner and task him with submitting a report regarding the illegal water connections in Qasimabad and City.