Sindh CM assures SCP to execute a doable plan for potable water

KARACHI: The Chief Minister of Sindh, Syed Murad Ali Shah here on Wednesday assured Supreme Court of Pakistan to devise an executable plan and its implementation with regard to safe, potable water for the citizens of the province.

Shah was summoned by a three member bench of Supreme Court of Pakistan (SCP), headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar on Monday with regard to Constitutional Petition No.38 of 2016, filed by Advocate Shahab Osto, to provide clean water and safe environment to the people of Sindh.

The Chief Minister complying to the SCP order, ensured his presence before the bench and requested to be provided time so as to ensure provision of clean water, guaranteed as constitutional right of the people.

The CJP bench comprising Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar, Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah, hearing the case at the Karachi Registry of SCP, asked the head of the provincial government to submit an affidavit mentioning time required to fulfill his commitment without any failure.

The bench that had previously constituted a judicial commission, headed by Justice Iqbal Kalhoro to investigate matters related to water woes of the citizens and steps needed to be taken by the provincial government, also enquired the Sindh CM, during Wednesday proceedings, about reported discrepancies.

CJP Mian Saqib Nisar on the occasion emphasized that the bench has sought presence of the Sindh Chief Minister with all respect and regard.

"Our objective is only to rid people of polluted water," he said mentioning that as per available reports 91% of the people in the province are deprived of safe potable water.

Syed Murad Ali Shah in response to a documentary screened during the proceedings cited it not to be very accurate.

He, however, assured the court that its orders will be complied and that this may required certain time period.

The petition being heard by the SCP encompasses issues regarding denial of public right to quality water and safe environment (poor sanitary facilities, almost non existent sanitation system and atmospheric pollution).

Former Mayor of Karachi, Syed Mustafa Kamal, summoned by the bench on Monday to ensured his presence before the bench also complied to the orders.

He was asked by the bench to appear before it and clarify his role in alleged allotment of 50 acres, out of a total of 129 acres of land reserved for water treatment plant, to some misplaced people, during his mayorship tenure from 2005 to 2010.

Advocate General of Sindh, provincial home secretary, managing director of the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) and Karachi police chief Mushtaq Ahmed Mahar were also present in the court.