Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Supreme Court of Pakistan (SC) on Monday heard a suo moto notice case pertaining to water scarcity in Islamabad.

A three-member bench headed by Chief Justice (CJP) Saqib Nisar heard the case.

During the hearing, the additional attorney general (AG) submitted a report to the SC.

CJP Nisar questioned AG regarding the sources of supply of water in Islamabad, adding that he’ll request the caretaker Prime Minister (PM) Nasirul Mulk to personally monitor the water shortage issue.

Nisar remarked “the interim government should not be dissolved until the issue is resolved.”

The apex court judge asserted that reports pertaining to the issue were presented but no progress was made.

Member of National Assembly (MNA) Zamarud Khan, who had been summoned by the SC along with other government officials including the Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of Cantonment Board, requested the court to let him present recommendations.

Khan suggested that the water tankers should not be allowed to receive  any amount in excess of Rs 1500.

Earlier in the previous hearing on June 8, Khan had assured the court that he did not own any tube-wells in the city.

Cantt CEO informed the court that 60 hydrants previously operational in the past had been shut down on government’s orders.

CJP Nisar remarked that the federal government had failed to appoint members of the federal cabinet as the appointed ones lacked the capability to run the country effectively.

Earlier on June 8 hearing CJP had observed that the water scarcity issue in the capital was due to the owners of tube wells, who were acquiring it for free and selling it to the residents.