KARACHI: Supreme Court (SC) appointed Sindh commission on water supply and quality head Justice Amir Hani Muslim on Monday prohibited any construction work in the areas of Defence and Clifton Cantonment.
“Work on construction projects has been banned till the conflict on boundaries between Defence and Clifton Cantonment is resolved,” ordered the commission’s head during a hearing in the Sindh High Court (SHC) and added, “Construction was allowed in every corner of Defence Housing Authority (DHA) but there was no proper planning or guidelines.”
Justice Muslim inquired what the total number of residents in Defence was. He was informed by the director planning that the number was currently over 500,000 to which he remarked that the population shown to be occupying the area was much lesser.
He further inquired about the number of business and commercial centres in the area and where the sewerage water discarded from these places is dumped.
“We are working out a plan with Mehmoodabad Treatment Plant,” replied the concerned officials.
“Who is responsible if the water is getting dirtier?” asked Justice Muslim adding,“First of all there should be an inquiry as to why water treatment plants were not installed in the areas.”
He further questioned the additional secretary Defence, Defence Housing Authority (DHA) officials and other concerned with the case about the number of gallons of untreated water that was being dumped in the sea.
“Annually 580 million gallons of untreated water is dumped in the sea in Karachi,” the DHA officials replied.
The water commission’s head informed the court that measures to ensure the dumping of 158 million gallons of treated water by June 30 are being taken in partnership with other institutions.
“We will not allow anyone to be careless on this matter,” he concluded.