Rawalpindi:Acute water shortage has gripped the areas of Ahmadabad and Quaid-e-Azam Colony in Rawalpindi Cantonment, as rising temperatures has worsen the situation.
Despite the presence of relevant authorities, residents remain at the mercy of the tanker mafia, forced to buy water at exorbitant rates, says a press release.Local citizens report that water supply across Cantonment areas is now available on alternate days, whereas in Ward 5 - particularly Ahmadabad residents receive water only one or two times a month. Citizens alleged that an independently elected member of the Cantonment Board is hindering in water supply and other developmental projects for political gain.
When local delegations approached him with complaints, he redirected them to officials without resolving the issues.A particularly troubling concern is the alleged illegal water connection to a marriage hall located on Chakri Road. According to residents, the water used in the hall comes from the community's share, and no utility bills are reportedly paid for years. Despite repeated complaints, authorities have failed to take action.Residents demand immediate steps from Chief Minister Punjab Maryam Nawaz to address these longstanding grievances and call for an inquiry into the water connection to the marriage hall. Efforts to contact the board member for his comments remained unsuccessful.
Citizens have appealed to the Director General of Cantonment Boards, the Chief Executive Officer, and the Chief Minister of Punjab to intervene and ensure adequate water supply to the affected areas.Sources indicate that if the large under-construction water tank in Ghaziabad is completed, it could resolve the shortage not only in Ghaziabad but also in Ahmadabad and Quaid-e-Azam Colony. The tank's construction, which includes concrete and steel reinforcement work, is reportedly near completion. However, a legal stay order allegedly obtained on malicious grounds is delaying the project.