SC seeks presence of Sindh CM in water, air pollution case

KARACHI: Chief Justice of Pakistan, Mian Saquib Nisar here on Monday sought presence of Sindh Chief Minister, Syed Murad Ali Shah before the bench on December 6, in a case related to water and atmospheric pollution in Sindh, at Karachi Registry of Supreme Court.

Hearing a petition filed by Advocate Shahab Osto related to water contamination, collapsed sanitation system and air pollution in the province, the bench summoned former mayor of the metropolis, Syed Mustafa Kamal before the court on December 5.

The former mayor has been called by the court for his alleged involvement in illegal allotment of land meant for critically needed water treatment plant as residential plots in the coastal city.

Petitioner of the case, Advocate Shahab Osto had earlier informed the court that 80 percent of water supplied to Karachi, 85 percent to Hyderabad, 88 percent to Larkana and 78 percent to Shikarpur is contaminated.

The three member bench, headed by CJP Justice Mian Saquib Nisar, hearing the case at Karachi Registry also includes Justice Faisal Arab and Justice Sajjad Ali Shah.

CJP taking strong exception to the figures shared by the petitioner said the matter cannot be ignored or overlooked as it is linked to precious human lives.

Expressing his dissatisfaction regarding the performance of provincial government, he said provision of clean water and environment is the state responsibility and any inability of the government concerned to fulfill the same compels the court to take notice of it.

"Judiciary holds the pivotal role of vigilance in any democratic setup," he said emphasizing that any of the state pillars failing to deliver can be questioned by the judiciary.

"Since this a matter of precious human lives therefore it can not be ignored at any cost," reiterated the Chief Justice of Pakistan.

"We want safe drinking water for our children and our grand children," the CJ remarked.