KARACHI: The Chief Justice of Pakistan Saqib Nisar on Sunday inaugurated a water filtration plant in Karachi and assured that the Supreme Court (SC) is at the forefront of protecting the fundamental rights of all citizens.
Speaking about the water crisis, the CJP stressed, “Water is extremely important and we have to conserve it.” “We mean business when it comes to human rights,” the chief justice reminded.
“Life cannot be imagined without water and we need to value it for a better Pakistan,” he said while addressing the opening ceremony and at the same time he raised a questioned “whether or not we value our resources?”.
The only one way to conserve water is to reserve it and use it carefully, he said.
Talking about water plants which had remained inactive for many years, the CJP said that it is cleaning 77 million gallons of dirty water daily and continues to be a source of clean water to Malir, Korangi, Lyari, Haroonabad and Mauripur.
The top judge recalled that during his recent visit to Gilgit, locals informed him that they were extremely happy to hear of the construction of Diamer-Bhasha Dam.
Further, the chief justice urged, “I have no personal agenda. We have to work for the welfare of our future generations.”
Justice Nisar also lauded the head of the SC-formed Sindh Water Commission, Justice (r) Amir Hani Muslim. “Justice Hani did not disappoint the nation,” he said.
Shifting focus to Karachi, the chief justice said, “I was happy to see the roads today and there has been a noticeable change in the city over the last six months.”
Earlier in the day, Chief Justice Saqib Nisar assured residents protesting eviction notices outside the SC’s Karachi Registry that he will hear their grievances.
As the chief justice arrived at the Karachi Registry to resume hearing public interest cases after a private sojourn to Gilgit-Baltistan, he walked over to the protesting residents.
Residents of Martin Quarters are protesting against the eviction notices to them for vacating illegally occupied government residences.
Assuring the protesters that he understands their plight, Chief Justice Nisar stated, “I am here until 6 pm today and will hear your pleas. I just have to go to inaugurate a water filtration plant for your benefit and will return around noon. Please come to see me after 1:30-2pm.”
It is pertinent to mention here that the plant has a total capacity to clean 180 million gallons. The total cost of the plant is more than Rs36.117 million.
Half of the fund was provided by the federal government while the other half by the provincial government. Another project following the inauguration has been initiated.