Islamabad(June 25, 2018): The Supreme Court on Monday heard a suo motu notice of water shortage in Islamabad.
A three-member bench of the apex court, headed by Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar heard the case.
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The Additional Attorney General submitted a report to the Supreme Court soon after the hearing started.
Chief Justice Nisar inquired the attorney general about the sources of supply of water to Islamabad, adding that he would request the interim Prime Minister Nasirul Mulk to personally monitor the water shortage issue.
The caretaker government should not dissolve till the issue is resolved, Chief Justice Nisar remarked during the hearing.
“Reports are presented but there is no progress in the case,” he observed.
The chief justice further remarked that the federal government had failed to appoint members of the Federal Cabinet, pointing out that the existing five cabinet member could not effectively run the country.
Earlier on June 09, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar while hearing a case about the construction of dams in the country, at Karachi registry of the apex court, remarked that “If the four brothers are not agreed over the dam then what is an alternate solution,”, vowed to address the water shortage.
Case was heard by the Larger Bench of the SC, headed by CJP, Justice Saqib Nisar, in which former Chairman WAPDA, Zafar Mehmood also appeared before the court.
During the hearing, former chairman of Water and Power Development Authority (WAPDA), Zafar Mahmood, told the court that people were not fully informed about the construction of Kalabagh Dam.
“I resigned from the post of WAPDA chairman following this dispute,” he further said.
Informing the court that India took over the water tributaries of Ravi and Sutlej and the Indus Waters Treaty also poses a risk, the former WAPDA chairman said, “India will try to stop the flow of water to us.”
To this, the CJP asked Mahmood what role the top court can play.
“There is a need to create awareness on the issue of water scarcity,” Mahmood responded.
Justice Saqib Nisar asserted that the Supreme Court will move forward for construction of dams and will play its role.
The CJP said that if Kalabagh dam is not a solution then what is its alternate.
Justice Saqib Nisar observed that the country has lost its capability of legislation. “You give us suggestions, we will recommend for the legislation to the parliament,” the chief justice said. “If the nation empower the Supreme Court, it is prepared to play its role”.
On June 07, Chief Justice of Pakistan, Justice Saqib Nisar said that his heart is advising him to collect donation for the payment of loans of the country and construction of dams.
Hearing the case regarding water in the SC, CJP said that important issue of water cannot be left unsolved, we have to take steps for the solution of the problem on the war footing, water is being waited in ocean, said CJP.
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“Nawaz Sharif and Asif Ali Zardari did nothing for constructing dams in their respective tenures”, said CJP adding that “give respect to vote” means provide basic facilities to masses.
Later, CJP appointed senior lawmaker, Barrister, Aitzaz Ahsan as adviser to the court over the matter of water and asked him to finalize report about the water situation in the country till June 21.
It may be recalled that concerns are being raised that by 2025, water scarcity will raise in the country, and construction of dams is necessary in this regard.
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