Protesting the acute shortage of water during the ongoing heatwave, residents of Chaklala and adjoining areas took to the streets, demanding an end to their miseries.
They demanded the transfer of the water supply system to the Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) like in other parts of Punjab, calling for the end of the Community Based Organisation (CBO) established through a joint venture between the Punjab government and the citizens.
During the tenure of former dictator General Pervez Musharraf, the drinking water system in every city across Punjab was managed through a unique funding structure. For each water supply scheme, 70 per cent of the funding came from the National Development Bank, 15 per cent from the Punjab government, and 15 per cent from the local government.
A community-based organization (CBO) was established to manage the water supply with this funding, initiating proper monthly billing for water services. However, recently, the water supply systems across Punjab were transferred to the respective WASA or other government water supply organisations under the CBO framework.
In Rawalpindi, this transition has not occurred due to a court injunction filed by the local nazim against the decision. As a result, the water supply remains limited to 15 to 24 minutes per day, while residents continue to pay a monthly bill of Rs1,000.
This has created severe water unavailability, prompting widespread protests.
Residents of Union Council 79 Rahmatabad, Mumtaz Colony, Jabbar Colony, Gulrez Colony, Pir Bakhsh Colony, Banaras Colony, Afzal Town, New Afzal Town, Ayub Colony, Dad Khan Colony, and Khayaban Tanveer, among other areas, gathered in large numbers to voice their grievances. The protest rally began in Rahmatabad and proceeded to Scheme 3 Chowk.
A large number of residents from various colonies participated in the rally that started from Raza Plaza. They expressed their determination to hold larger protests if their demands were not met. The rally concluded peacefully at Chaklala Scheme 3, but the participants remained resolute about continuing their struggle for a reliable water supply.
Malik Ashraf, a retired government official and a prominent social figure in the area, criticised the CBO-managed water supply system, stating that it had completely failed. He highlighted that previously, the CBO billed residents Rs200 per month, but the bill has now increased to Rs1,000 without any improvement in water availability. Ashraf questioned how people could survive with water available for only 15 to 20 minutes a day, especially in such intense heat.
Published in The Express Tribune, May 30th, 2024.
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