LAHORE: The Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday ordered constitution of Punjab Water Commission while hearing a petition that sought to secure groundwater.
The lawyer of Punjab government argued before the court that the Water Act was already in effect in the province and added that there was no need of a water commission.
Justice Shahid Karim of LHC asked the lawyer why the government was opposing formation of the water commission and rejected the provincial government’s plea against the commission.
The court then ordered the Buzdar administration to submit the first report of the water commission within 15 days.
Justice Karim remarked that the country could face a serious water crisis by the year 2025. “The court will protect fundamental human rights.”
Earlier, petitioner Barrister Salman Niazi contended that the formation of water commission has no link with the Water Act. “The government has not legislated over the loss of water so far,” he said.
He pleaded to the bench to form a water commission to secure clean water.
The court after hearing arguments of the counsel rejected the government’s request and ordered it to form Punjab Water Commission.
In a previous hearing, the bench had summoned implementation report on the water policy and a relevant report of the World Bank.
The court was informed that according to the WB report, Pakistan lost water of around an estimated value of $12 billion every year.