Court reserves verdict on plea against water connection to hospital

KARACHI:

The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday reserved its judgment on a petition against grant of a direct water connection to a private hospital by the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) in North Nazimabad.

Appearing before a two-member bench, headed by Justice Aqeel Ahmed Abbasi, the counsel for the petitioner, Usman Farooq Advocate, stated that grant of water connections should not be decided on political considerations. Everyone living in Pakistan is equal citizen of the country; therefore, water connections should be given on merit.

The bench expressed its concern over water scarcity in the metropolitan city. Justice Abbasi remarked that it was important to address the water scarcity issue and ensure supply of clean drinking water to all citizens of Karachi. The deputy commissioner Central, KWSB officials and others appeared before the bench.

"People living towards the tail-end do not receive drinking water. Shortage of water leads to arguments which result in riots," the judge remarked. He added that proper SOPs should be laid down for grant of water connections. "No one should be begging for a connection from the main line," he said.

The KWSB engineer submitted that connections could be granted from the main pipeline to hospitals on commercial basis. "What happens if someone requests a new connection in the area," the court remarked? "Wouldn't there be issues if you give a connection from the main pipeline?"

According to the deputy commissioner central, issues pop up due to new constructions and renting out of portions of bungalows. A KWSB official submitted before the bench that the hospital in question has been given a two-inch diameter connection from the 36-inch main water pipeline.

After hearing arguments from both sides, the court reserved its decision on the petition.

 

Published in The Express Tribune, February 16^th, 2023.