Contaminated water

The residents of North Karachi have been facing the issue of unhygienic and contaminated drinking water for the last several years. The obsolete system of sanitation is not monitored and it seems that sewerage lines are mixed with drinking water pipelines. The water coming from the pipes into the tanks of the residents is filthy. The stink in the water is so strong that even animals stay away from it. Most of the water is unfit for human consumption and cannot be used so there is a keen water shortage as well. Moreover, the contaminated supply poses a high risk of water-borne diseases. The residents of North Karachi have been forced to purchase water from tanks. While a large number of complaints have been lodged to the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board, they have fallen on deaf ears. It is the moral obligation of the    present ‘democratic’  government to provide basic rights and facilities to its citizens.

In December 2016, on the directives of the Supreme Court, the Sindh High Court constituted a commission to conduct an in-depth investigation into the authorities’ failure to provide clean drinking water, sanitation facilities and a healthy environment to the people of the province. The commission served notices to the concerned authorities, departments and individuals. The relevant officials are requested to look into the matter and resolve it as soon as possible.

Nisar Ahmed

Karachi