Water shortage crisis echoes in MCI

Islamabad

The issue of severe water shortage in the federal capital was also echoed at 11th session of the Municipal Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) as some members from the ruling party’s benches also joined protesting voices raised from the opposition side.

The chairmen from both the government and opposition benches gave tough time to the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz forcing him to back foot. The Wednesday session witnessed uproar in the House as two sides raised sloganeering and exchanged harsh and indecent words. The opposition members also displayed banners and placards during the session.

The opposition members who hail from Pakistan Tehreek-e-Insaf (PTI) staged walkout from proceedings while protesting against non inclusion of issue of water shortage on agenda of the session. Following walkout, the proceedings of the house continued despite lack of quorum chaired by the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Ansar Aziz.

The government members also give the Mayor name of ‘paraschuter’ who they said was not elected after getting votes from masses. “You are parachuter and that is why you have not been able to resolve problems of the masses,” Waqar Mumtaz, the ruling party’s chairman from Union Council Phulgaran and other chairmen said. His voice was also joined by another chairman, Jamil Khokar, who was also highly critical of performance of the Islamabad mayor.

The PML-N chairmen said they would also join the PTI chairmen in protest against the mayor if the outstanding issues are not resolved. Speaking on floor of the House, the opposition leader, Ali Awan, said the Islamabad Mayor Sheikh Anser Aziz has not been able to complete any of the project during the last one-and-half-year.

He said the Chief Metropolitan Officer Asad Kiani is holding many portfolios in CDA and MCI and that is why he has no time to listen to their problems. He said the Islamabad Metropolitan was facing many problems whereas the session of MCI assembly has been convened after a gap of one-and-half-month.

Mayor Islamabad and Chairman, Capital Development Authority (CDA) while addressing the proceedings said that all options are being explored to overcome water shortage in the city. In order to overcome water shortage in Capital City, planning of the project, of supplying water from Ghazi Brotha, is at advance stages.

This project will permanently resolve the complaints regarding water shortage from the city. He said that due to less rains during current year level in the water reservoirs has been decreased, however, acting upon effective strategy water shortage would not be occurred.