Karachi (December 04, 2017): The Supreme Court has summoned Sindh Chief Minister Murad Ali Shah on December 6 in a case relating to provision of safe and clean drinking water to the people of the province.
A full bench of the apex court headed by Chief Justice Saqib Nisar heard the clean drinking water case.
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The court also summoned former city mayor and PSP chief Mustafa Kamal on December 5.
During the court proceedings, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Mian Saqib Nasir observed that the instant matter was of people’s lives and it cannot be ignored. While issuing notice to CM Sindh to appear before the bench the CJP remarked that the CM would be asked about all the steps he had taken for provision of safe and clean drinking water.
The chief justice observed the judiciary must intervene when the government fails to fulfill its responsibilities.
“There will be no compromise on air and water pollution,” he remarked, adding “the high officials will also be summoned in the case if necessary.”
“Air and water are the two biggest blessings,” remarked Justice Nisar, adding that no one can live without them.
“It is compulsory that the government fulfill its responsibilities. Installation of different factories is affecting people in Sindh and Punjab,” he observed further.
“Air pollution is giving rise to diseases such as cancer among others,” he stated further.
Advocate Shahab Usto, who filed the petition, said that people in 29 districts across the province were drinking contaminated water. “Eighty per cent water in Karachi, 85 per cent in Hyderabad, 88 per cent in Larkana and 78 per cent in Shikarpur is contaminated,” the lawyer said.
Usto also spoke about the video made by the commission, which was formed by the apex court to investigate the matter. “Just look at the video that has been made by the commission,” Usto said.
“Why shouldn’t we order PEMRA to show the video on television channels,” the chief justice observed.
Usto pointed out that people are being supplied with unfiltered, untreated water across the province. Responding to this, the chief justice remarked: “We grew up drinking unfiltered water but during those days that water was beneficial.”
Waste from hospitals, industries and municipalities is disposed of in rivers across Sindh, the petitioner claimed.
“Such people make big claims but they cannot supply clean water to the nation,” he remarked. “Is there anyone who can solve the problems of the nation?”
The court hearing was adjourned till December 5 (tomorrow).
After the court summoned the chief minister, the advocate general Sindh objected, stating that, “The court should give time to clarify the issue before summoning the CM.”
Reacting to this, the chief justice remarked: ““We want the person who is responsible for the projects to appear before the court”.
“Supreme Court is a constitutional institution which is hearing a case pertaining to human rights. If the CM appears before the court then we can move towards solving the issues,” the chief justice observed.
“Why is the advocate general getting worried, we just want to meet the CM,” he stated further, adding that the “CM should come here and solve the issue.”
If the issue is not resolved this way, then the court will issue orders. “We can’t stay quiet over the prevailing danger to human lives,” Justice Nisar remarked.
During the court proceedings, the court also questioned the petitioner why is he scared of taking the name of Mustafa Kamal.
To this, the petitioner said: “I am not scared of anyone. The former mayor illegally allotted the land for the Mehmoodabad treatment plant.”
The court ruled that Kamal should tell the court who did he ask before allotting the 50-acre land, which was reserved for the Mehmoodabad treatment plant.
Kamal was the city mayor from 2005 to 2010 when he was in the Muttahida Qaumi Movement. However, he has since left the party and formed its rival, the Pak Sarzameen Party.
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