Sindh govt has three weeks to assess civic agencies’ structure

Justice (R) Muslim orders KWSB to resolve issue of water theft in Lyari

HYDERABAD: The Supreme Court-mandated Commission on Water and Sanitation has given three weeks to a Sindh government-notified committee to scrutinise the service structures of the civic and municipal organisations of Karachi and Hyderabad. Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim, the commission’s chairperson, at the hearing in Karachi on Wednesday expressed dismay with the Sindh government over the delay in notifying the committee by two weeks.

“Three weeks further time is granted to the committee to scrutinise the service structure of the departments and authorities referred to in the notification,” the order reads. “The commission is time-bound and delay of the nature will defeat the objective for which it has been constituted by the Supreme Court.”

The departments include Sindh Building Control Authority (SBCA), Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB), Hyderabad Municipal Corporation (HMC) and Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA), a subsidiary of Hyderabad Development Authority (HDA). After Wednesday’s order, the provincial government has been given three days to issue a modified order with three weeks’ time frame along with submission of the compliance report by the local government secretary.



During his visit to Hyderabad on November 9 and 10, Justice (r) Muslim was displeased to see the state of sanitation in Hyderabad. He asked the HMC Mayor Syed Tayyab Hussain to immediately improve performance, warning that otherwise the commission will have to review transfer of the HMC’s certain functions to the district administration headed by the deputy commissioner.

The commission was also dismayed by the frequent transfers and postings in the SBCA, especially of the officers who are under inquiry for alleged wrongdoings.

Water theft

Meanwhile, Justice (retd) Muslim ordered MPA Abdur Rashid to find a solution to water theft in Lyari in consultation with the KWSB managing director and coordinator. He summoned a report in this regard within 10 days. The commission warned the water board’s officials about the mixing of polluted water with water from the main line and remarked that if these complaints weren’t resolved within seven days, half of the water board will be sitting at home.

Justice (retd) Muslim remarked that at times he has to call the water board officials and tell them to close the water of a certain place where water is being wasted. The valve man and engineers are very influential and do not want to work.



The commission was informed by Rashid that Lyari receives water from three lines and that 29 illegal connections had been removed from Miran Naki to Askari Park. Justice (retd) Muslim asked who was being given this water and remarked that he would himself go to see the matter.

The commission inquired about the number of illegal connections given in a year. The MPA said that it was not known when the connections were given but Lyari’s water has been reduced. When illegal connections were eliminated from the Lyari stream, pressure was exerted on the administration by the municipality minister and illegal connections that generate water from under the ground formed once again. Rashid also presented evidences of illegal connections in the form of pictures to the commission.

The commission was informed that many areas of Lyari have been deprived of water for the past two decades. The commission remarked that it agrees that the field officers of water board are involved.

KWSB Managing Director Khalid Sheikh told the commission that they had removed many illegal connections in Lyari over the last 10 days. Rashid said that improvement has come due to the water commission.

Justice (retd) Muslim remarked that had the improvement actually been made, so many people would not have been present at hearing. Sheikh said that issues have increased and that is why people are there, to which Justice (retd) Muslim said that if the water board would function properly then the people would not need to come to the court. The biggest issue of the public not receiving water is unjust distribution. KWSB’s engineers do not work in an effective manner. If water wastage is addressed in Karachi, then 80% of the issue will be resolved.

A resident of Gulistan-e-Jauhar Block 13 presented polluted water in a bottle to the commission. Justice (retd) Muslim expressing anger said that it is the KWSB’s responsibility to provide clean water and no excuses will be accepted. To this, Sheikh said that the area fell under the cantonment and they were not being given permission to work. The commission ordered KWSB to fix the water line of Gulistan-e-Jauhar and adjourned the proceedings till today (Thursday).

Published in The Express Tribune, November 15^th, 2018.