Daily Times

Karachi: The one-member water commission on Monday informed officials concerned that it had stopped future payments to the foreign firm responsible for lifting garbage in Karachi because the company failed to hire the required number of employees.

It also informed the company’s counsel that the salaries of 1,000 employees – who were never hired – would be deducted from its withheld payments. Justice Muslim said that the garbage crisis in the city was a result of the missing employees. He told the official to first hire the requisite number of employees and then move on to import equipment from China.

The commission was informed that sweepers were being paid Rs18,000 each by the company, and that the company was saving Rs7.5 million by employing fewer employees than stipulated in the contract.

“Their performance has improved after payments were stopped for four days,” Justice Hani remarked, adding that he would ensure things got on the right track. The commission also ordered that the salaries of absent employees of the district management councils (DMCs) to be stopped and departmental action be launched against them.

‘Where has Karachi’s water gone?’

The Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) managing director was reprimanded on Monday by the one-member water commission headed by Justice (retd) Amir Hani Muslim over the city’s water woes. The commission warned MD Khalid Sheikh to fix the situation or be ready to suffer consequences.

As the hearing proceeded, KWSB head was bombarded with questions related to the city’s water supply system. “What is happening in Karachi? Where has all the water gone? Call MD water board, where is he? If he is busy then where are the other officers?” Justice Muslim asked.

When KWSB MD Sheikh appeared before the commission, he was asked, “Do you read the newspapers? People are hurling abuses at you. Are you aware of this? Water isn’t available in areas neigbouring hydrants. People install water lines, but they still don’t get water.” Sheikh explained that water was being sent to homes on tankers on residents’ phone calls and even text messages. Justice Muslim then asked, “Why is there no water in taps at homes? You have destroyed the supply and distribution system!”

The MD said that he understood people’s woes, adding that the board was facing problems because of K-Electric.

“You do nothing until water lines burst and water enters people’s homes,” Justice Muslim responded, asking how was it possible for the sewage water to get mixed with clean water? He said some areas were receiving water while others were not.

At this, Sheikh said that those receiving water should be thankful. To which, the commission head responded in a visibly angry tone, “Why are you speaking like this? It is your responsibility to provide water to people. You have destroyed the process of water distribution.”

Sheikh reasoned that people were facing problems because of limited supply of water. “We understand their problems.”

Then, the retired justice said that KWSB valvemen’s complete control over the city’s water supply would have to be curbed. “KWSB valvemen regulate water supply in the city by controlling how much, where and when water flows by manipulating different valves that control supply lines.

Published in Daily Times, April 17^th 2018.