Traders demand enquiry into polluted water issue

Islamabad: The traders of Islamabad while expressing deep anguish and concern over what they alleged supply of polluted and poisonous water from Rawal Dam have demanded judicial enquiry into the matter and legal action against the concerned officials of the related bodies.

The demand of judicial enquiry into the matter was made by Markazi Anjuman e Tajaran and Traders Action Committee, Islamabad led by president Ajmal Baloch and Secretary, Khalid Chaudhry on behalf of their whole community on Monday.

Talking to a group of journalists, the traders led by Khalid Chaudhry and Ajmal Baloch held Environment Protection Agency, CDA and Wapda responsible behind alleged supply of polluted and poisonous water to the inhabitants of Islamabad and Rawalpindi.

They stated that couple of months back, the Supreme Court in its order had directed the authorities for taking measures to eliminate polluted water from Rawal Dam through installation of sewerage treatment plant in the concerned areas which include Bani Gala and Bara Kahu. However, the related bodies turned a deaf ear and failed to implement the verdict of the Supreme Court. Even IPA also showed its indifference and negligence towards the orders of the apex court.

Continuing Khalid Chaudhry said that the head of IPA Ms. Farzana is in haste to issue notices over use of shoppers but is least concerned and have no botheration over the presence of polluted water in Rawal Dam which is supplied to the people of the twin cities of Rawalpindi and Islamabad.

Castigating the related authorities further, the representatives of traders observed that large number of people visit Lake Park constructed closed to Rawal Dam. People while visiting through wastages in the park which later on falls in Rawal Dam causing pollution.

Though large number of fish died due to polluted and poisonous water of Rawal Dam and the same is being supplied to the people as well which endangers their lives. No treatment of water in Rawal Dam is done and is being supplied to the two sister cities openly.

Khalid Chaudhry and Ajmal Baloch have appealed to the Prime Minister Mian Nawaz Sharif, Punjab Chief Minister, Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif, Chairman CDA, Mayor Ansar Aziz, Chairman Wapda etc to take immediate notice against the supply of polluted water from Rawal Dam and issue orders for the enforcement of orders of the Supreme Court with regard to cleaning polluted water Rawal Dam. Directions should be issued to the related bodies for suspending supply of polluted water from Rawal Dam r on temporary basis till its desilting and cleaning. Otherwise it is harmful for the health of the people who use it regularly.

However, higher officials of CDA and Wasa including  MCI Mayor Ansar Aziz Sheikh, Vice Chairman Wasa, Ziaullah Shah, Ahmed Manzoor, Director Water Department, Wasa, Deputy Commissioners of Islamabad observed that laboratory tests have been conducted since the incident of killing of fish have occurred . No evidence of poison has been detected in water of Rawal Dam. Ahmed Manzoor told that water of Rawal Dam is supplied after treatment in the filtration plant based over there. Anyhow still working is being done on high note to find out the real reason behind the incident which occurred recently.