Judicial commission orders action against water theft

KARACHI: The judicial commission, probing reasons behind the non-provision of clean drinking water, sanitation and a healthy environment to the people of Sindh, on Monday directed the Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) to take action against persons who were involved in tampering with main freshwater lines or were stealing water. The commission, headed by Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim, was informed by the KWSB managing director that the subsoil water policy had been made, but it required approval from the government. He said that after the approval of the policy, it would be converted into regulations. Local government secretary Ramzan Awan submitted that he had seen the draft and made certain suggestions. He said the draft would be finalised today and processed for the approval of the competent authority. He said that such approval would be finalised within two weeks. The commission said that the KWSB would begin regulating the subsoil water issues in terms of the proposed policy in the intervening period.