SC seeks report about cleaning of Manchar Lake

The Supreme Court (SC) on Tuesday ordered Sindh Government to submit a detailed report on Manchar Lake cleaning within two weeks, with the details of funds spent on it and the deadline when its water would be made potable. The two-member bench headed by Justice Gulzar Ahmed also expressed displeasure over polluted water in the lake when it resumed the hearing of a suo moto notice the court took on the issue. Secretary Irrigation Sindh Jamal Mustafa and other officials appeared in the proceedings at the SC's Karachi Registry.
The apex court showed displeasure over the working of Irrigation Department to vis-à-vis cleaning the Manchar Lake as Secretary Irrigation told the court that work is underway to clean the lake and positive development would be achieved soon. "We would send you to jail if the work is not done in time," Justice Gulzar remarked, admonishing Secretary Irrigation for not cleaning the lake.
He said people of Sindh are compelled to drink poisonous water despite spending billions of funds. He said it seems that provincial departments want the people continue dying.
Justice Gulzar observed that projects had remained under way for twenty years; but, not a single drop of potable water could be provided to people of Sindh. "If the required results could not be achieved, the responsible would be sent to jail," he warned the officials. He also remarked that no one cares about people of Sindh, who are roaming helplessly due to enormous problems.
Quoting the example of Turkey, Justice Gulzar said, Turkey cleaned its sea but we couldn't do it and as a result, fish stock is fast depleting due to increasing pollution in the sea.
He said provincial government would be held responsible for the last twenty years' funds. He also deplored that no tangible progress could be achieved despite the passage of long time. He said country could have benefited from the water of 2010 flood for next ten years if this water was stored. "Where would you store water in case of heavy rains in future," he remarked.
The court ordered Sindh Government to submit the report about the Manchar Lake cleaning with details of funds issued for the lake and amount spent on it as well as the deadline when the water would be made potable after cleaning the lake.