ISLAMABAD, June 25: The Supreme Court has directed the authorities concerned to take steps on war footing to address the issue of water shortages in the twin cities of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.
A three member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar, was hearing a case pertaining to shortage of water in the twin cities in Islamabad on Monday.
The Chief Justice, in his remarks, asked the Prime Minister to look into the issue of water and power personally. He noted that half of the population in the Federal Capital is deprived of water.
The Chief Justice asked the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad and WASA Rawalpindi as to what steps they have taken to resolve the issue of water shortages. The representative of MCI told the court that short, medium and long term plans have been prepared to address the issue.
He said there are also plans to build small water reservoirs in the Capital. Hearing a suo-motu notice regarding incidents of fire at Margalla hills, the chief justice directed that necessary equipment should be procured to avert such incidents.
The Chief Justice also ordered the constitution of a committee headed by Wafaqi Mohtasib to furnish recommendations within two weeks to check such disasters. According to last hearing on June 8, the CJP had said that tubewell owners in the federal capital are acquiring water for free and selling it to residents, gaining money and causing frequent water shortages.
Earlier this month, Justice Nisar had taken a suo motu notice of the water crisis in the country, saying that it would be the Supreme Court’s “top priority” in the weeks ahead. He also said, “What have we done for our children if we can’t even provide them water?”
Justice Nisar showed his apprehension over the dam built on the Kishanganga River by Indiaa as its a part of Kishanganga hydropower plant project. He added that Neelum River, which is a branch of the Indian river, has also dried up due to which water shortage shall be on ‘Top Priority’ and this matter shall be resolved as soon as possible no time. -DNA
