The Sindh High Court (SHC) has sought details of water distribution and planning across Karachi on a petition pertaining to water supply to the residents of Defence and Clifton.
A two-member bench headed by Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi heard the petition.
The Cantonment Board's counsel argued that the Clifton Cantonment Board can provide water to the residents as per the quantity it receives from the Water Board. It is not possible to supply water more than the quantity supplied by the water board.
Defence and Clifton are not considered part of Karachi. There is no water supply plan in these areas.
Petitioner's counsel stated, "Nine million gallons of water is allotted for our area but we get only 4.5 MGD. Half of the water received from the water board is lost due to line losses."
The court had earlier ruled that charges should not be levied on residents who were not being provided water.
The cantonment board lawyer stated, "If the residents want we will disconnect the water connection and will not charge."
This is ridiculous. Providing water is the responsibility of the state. Cantonment board should install the meter. Where water usage is zero, no charges should be levied.
The court remarked that the problem could be solved if the people were capable, had good intentions and corruption was eradicated.
Petitioner's counsel stated that when a tanker is ordered from a private company, charges of Rs9,000 are levied. Inspired by the private tanker mafia, cantonment boards have started supplying water through water bowsers.
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The court inquired about the number of pumping stations for water supply in DHA and Clifton. The chief engineer of water board said that there is only one pumping station at Pipri to supply water to the entire city. No new project for water supply to Karachi has been launched since K4.
Justice Syed Hassan Azhar Rizvi remarked that if K4 project is not completed in 10 years then management will not be able to provide water.
The court asked, how is it possible that there is water in other areas but not in DHA? Will you decide by looking at the face of someone who is to be provided water and who is not?
The court, while seeking reply from the water board officials, asked them to tell who decides whether to supply water to any part of the city or not.
The court sought details of water distribution and planning for Karachi.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 18th, 2022.
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