Judicial commission forms committee to regularise water supply in DHA

KWSB given 15 days to award contract for installation of flow meters

KARACHI: The Supreme Court-mandated Judicial Commission on Water and Sanitation has formed a committee to regulate the supply of water to Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in Karachi.

Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim, at the hearing in Karachi on Friday, gave 15 days to the committee to address complaints of the citizens and regularise the connections illegally installed by the public.

The committee will be headed by the Korangi deputy commissioner while the Korangi SSP and representatives from DHA, the Cantonment Board and Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) will be its members.



The commission directed KWSB to restore the water meters installed on its pipelines within two days and to install the new meters as well.

"It's unfortunate that in spite of repeated directives, the water board is reluctant to install the meters," Justice (retd) Muslim observed, asking the KWSB Managing Director Khalid Mehmood Shaikh to take action against the officials delaying the installation.

Shaikh informed that overall, five water meters in the city are not functional. On this, Justice (retd) Muslim commented that the order to install water meters across the city was being given for the last 11 months.

He remarked that citizens were suffering for a year and basic issues were not being resolved.

The water commission's focal person, Asif Haider Shah, informed that a project for the construction of a new line for Clifton is almost complete.

New meters will be installed at the pumping stations, he said, adding that some illegal connections are being regularised.

The commission head remarked, "Do whatever it takes to provide equal water to the residents."

The commission gave 15 days to the board to award the contract for the installation of the flow meters and to complete the exercise by the end of February, 2019.

Shikarpur

Shikarpur district Deputy Commissioner Hassan Raza informed the commission that on its directives, he has been given financial authority in the Shikarpur municipal committee. He said that the chief municipal officer, Iqbal Imtiaz Phulpoto, has been transferred and replaced by Bashir Ahmed Lashari. Similarly, three other officials were also removed along with Phulpoto in compliance with the commission's order, he added.

The commission noted with concern the media reports that the sewage system in Shikarpur city is being deliberately choked as 12th Rabiul Awal approaches to establish that DC Raza has also failed to maintain cleanliness and sanitation.

The new CMO also stated that he is unable to work and does not want to continue the job.



In view of the situation, the commission ordered the Sindh local government secretary to again post the removed officials and ensure that they discharged their duty without fail. Justice (retd) Muslim banned transfers and posting in the municipal bodies of Shikarpur without the commission's permission.

Advocate Muhammad Irfan Rajput, representing Fateh Textile Mills Hyderabad, argued that the bylaws of SITE allowed use of industrial plots for commercial purposes.

He, however, could not satisfy the commission by pointing out the relevant law. Justice (retd) Muslim ordered that the ban on commercialisation of the industrial land will stay in place until the matter has been decided by the commission.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 17^th, 2018.