UCs chairmen express concern over water shortage in Rawalpindi

Rawalpindi :The chairmen of several union councils in the monthly meeting of Municipal Corporation expressed concern over problem of water shortage occurring in Rawalpindi city and stressed upon the government for taking measures to improve the situation otherwise in the next four to five years the issue would become severe.

The members through a resolution stressed upon the government for linking water pipeline of Barotha dam with Rawalpindi to avert any crisis like situation in the next five years. For this purpose the government should approve a grant they said.

The meeting was chaired by Mayor Rawalpindi, Sardar Naseem held at Jinnah Hall, Municipal Corporation office here Tuesday. The meeting was also attended by deputy mayor, Rawalpindi and members elected on special seats.

Similarly, chairman of UC 20, Haji Arshad Mahmood draw the attention of the mayor towards supply of drinking water from Rawal Dam which he termed unhygienic. Couple of months back a large number of fish died due to contaminated water. He said that CDA has admitted that the water supplied from Rawal Dam is unhygienic and dangerous as well as not safe for the health of citizens. The waste of poultry farms and Bani Gala falls in the water of Rawal Dam thus making it contaminated. A large number of people are being hit by the disease of hepatitis because of drinking contaminated water being supplied from the source of Rawalpindi. It reflects the inefficiency and indifference of the concerned civic bodies. He proposed the Mayor for forming a committee comprising members of CDA and Wasa to resolve this issue in the best interest of the people.

The members also called upon the Mayor for taking measures for improving the system of fire brigade in Rawalpindi. They alleged at present the condition of fire brigade is very poor. There is shortage of fire fighting vehicles and staff. The water pipes of fire extinguish vehicles are leaking. If any incident of fire occurs, the fire brigade is unable to extinguish it only because of poor condition of vehicles which are also very few as well as shortage of staff.

The mayor assured the chairmen of their UCs to work on their issues seriously and adopt effective measures to rectify the situation. However, he directed the officials of Wasa who were present on the occasion for improving the drainage and sewerage system from Banni as water accumulates in Murree Road during rains. He directed them to build manholes and outlets on roads to assure smooth flow of water during rains.

When one of the chairmen drew attention of mayor towards dearth of space left in grave yards and there is great need to acquire land for this purpose for burial of dead bodies. Sardar Naseem told that 200 kanal land has been acquired in Rakh Dhamiyal, Rawalpindi, for new graveyard. Work is being carried out to start construction work which would be completed in next 6 months.

Earlier on at the start of the meeting, the chairmen presented a resolution which denounced the brutal killings of Rohingya Muslims in Myanmar by Burma armed forces . They demanded off the United Nations and other human rights organizations to take immediate notice of the atrocities being perpetrated on Muslims in Burma which should be stopped immediately. Further the Muslims of Burma who are migrating to Bangladesh should be provided all kind of facilities by the donor agencies. This matter should also be taken up by the human rights organizations as well as United Nations. The Mayor approved the resolution.

Chairman Khalid Mahmood drew the attention of the meeting towards the victory of Kulsoom Nawaz in NA-120 and congratulated her which was seconded by all members of the house.