Quetta’s woes: Dr Abdul Malik orders probe on contaminated drinking water
Says strict action will be taken if any official is found responsible
Strict action will be taken if any official is found responsible. PHOTO: PPI
QUETTA:
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has directed the chief secretary to investigate claims of sewage mixing with drinking water and contaminating piped supplies in Quetta.
The issue was placed before the Balochistan Assembly by PMLN-N legislator Rahila Hameed Durrani. She pointed out that some water pipelines of WASA were contaminated after sewage leaks in the provincial capital.
“The authorities should take this matter seriously as it is causing many diseases like hepatitis C,” Durrani said. She showed assembly members a sample of the contaminated water in a bottle.
Read: Lab test results: Nearly 75% drinking water sources unsafe in country
In his response, Dr Abdul Malik acknowledged that it was “a serious issue”. He immediately ordered the provincial chief secretary to inquire into the case. He assured his colleagues in the assembly that if any evidence of human involvement is found the government would take stringent action. “If you cannot provide clean drinking water, do not do so, but sewage mixed with water is not acceptable,” the chief minister said in the house. Monday’s session kicked off with acting Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo in the chair.
Upon being questioned Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, the minister in charge of Wasa, responded that around 65% water is contaminated in Quetta because of the new sewerage lines. “The sewerage line workers destroyed the clean drinking water lines in Quetta,” he explained. He said the ministry has provided a sum of 50 crore rupees to repair the damaged lines.
Read: Broken promises: Dr Malik threatens to halt exploration
Jogezai also informed the assembly that Quetta is in the grip of serious water shortage after the water level went down in the Spin Karez area.
PML-Q MPA Ruqia Hashmi said the government should inquire into the issue of contaminated water, adding that it was the least the government could do. Sewage-contaminated water can cause diseases including hepatitis C, Hashmi warned.
Earlier, Dr Shama Ishaq National Party speaker said that the provincial government was facing challenges on the Pak China Economic Corridor and Gwadar port. “The government is determined to face the economic corridor and Gwadar port challenges,” she said. In the past, he said, Balochistan was neglected in every sphere of life. She highlighted that the Balochistan economy was dependent on resources. She said the Balochistan budget was focused primarily on the social, education and health sectors.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2015.
Balochistan Chief Minister Dr Abdul Malik Baloch has directed the chief secretary to investigate claims of sewage mixing with drinking water and contaminating piped supplies in Quetta.
The issue was placed before the Balochistan Assembly by PMLN-N legislator Rahila Hameed Durrani. She pointed out that some water pipelines of WASA were contaminated after sewage leaks in the provincial capital.
“The authorities should take this matter seriously as it is causing many diseases like hepatitis C,” Durrani said. She showed assembly members a sample of the contaminated water in a bottle.
Read: Lab test results: Nearly 75% drinking water sources unsafe in country
In his response, Dr Abdul Malik acknowledged that it was “a serious issue”. He immediately ordered the provincial chief secretary to inquire into the case. He assured his colleagues in the assembly that if any evidence of human involvement is found the government would take stringent action. “If you cannot provide clean drinking water, do not do so, but sewage mixed with water is not acceptable,” the chief minister said in the house. Monday’s session kicked off with acting Speaker Abdul Quddus Bizenjo in the chair.
Upon being questioned Nawab Ayaz Jogezai, the minister in charge of Wasa, responded that around 65% water is contaminated in Quetta because of the new sewerage lines. “The sewerage line workers destroyed the clean drinking water lines in Quetta,” he explained. He said the ministry has provided a sum of 50 crore rupees to repair the damaged lines.
Read: Broken promises: Dr Malik threatens to halt exploration
Jogezai also informed the assembly that Quetta is in the grip of serious water shortage after the water level went down in the Spin Karez area.
PML-Q MPA Ruqia Hashmi said the government should inquire into the issue of contaminated water, adding that it was the least the government could do. Sewage-contaminated water can cause diseases including hepatitis C, Hashmi warned.
Earlier, Dr Shama Ishaq National Party speaker said that the provincial government was facing challenges on the Pak China Economic Corridor and Gwadar port. “The government is determined to face the economic corridor and Gwadar port challenges,” she said. In the past, he said, Balochistan was neglected in every sphere of life. She highlighted that the Balochistan economy was dependent on resources. She said the Balochistan budget was focused primarily on the social, education and health sectors.
Published in The Express Tribune, June 23rd, 2015.