SHC orders permanent water supply system in DHA

Gives three months to CBC; until then water should be supplied through tankers

KARACHI:

The constitutional bench of the Sindh High Court has directed authorities to submit a gazette notification regarding the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) within four weeks and to establish a permanent water supply system in DHA within three months.

A two-member bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon issued the written order on petitions regarding the non-availability of water in DHA.

The court ordered CBC to ensure a permanent water supply system within three months and instructed that until the system is established, water must be supplied through tankers.

The court observed that under Article 9 of the Constitution, access to clean drinking water is a fundamental right. It further stated that the Cantonment Board Clifton, as a local governing body, is responsible for providing water to residents and cannot avoid its obligation by citing reduced supply from the Water Corporation.

The court ruled that water charges can only be collected if the relevant service is properly provided. It also directed CBC to install water meters and ensure a transparent billing system.

The court instructed the Water Corporation to improve water supply to the Cantonment Board, eliminate illegal hydrants and leakage from pipelines, and submit quarterly reports to the court.

In its remarks, the court said that RO plants in DHA should be made available for public use.

The court further ordered that the gazette notification regarding the jurisdiction of the Cantonment Board must be presented within four weeks, stating that no tax can be collected without proper notification.