Daily Times

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Saqib Nisar on Tuesday has ordered all the provincial authorities to levy a tax of Rs1 for every litre of water extracted from underground reserves.

CJP Saqib Nisar while resuming hearing of a suo motu case pertaining to alleged exploitation of water resources by mineral water companies in the country ordered the federal and provincial governments to issue notifications regarding the order within two days.

Earlier today, the Chief Justice warned mineral water companies for “extracting groundwater” wroth billion of rupees and not paying enough taxes on it.

The CJP underscored the court would not allow the water resources to be polluted and depleted, “even if the companies have to shut down”.

Saqib Nisar while addressing to one of the representative of mineral water company said laminated that this is no longer about taxes, this issue now has been turned into a scandal.

“It should not be called ‘mineral’ water, it should be called ‘bottled’ water,” he remarked.

The CJP inquired that groundwater worth billions of rupees has been extracted by these companies. “Who will account for this?”

Saqib Nisar told the representative that the court would not allow for the nation’s loss, even if it meant the mineral water companies had to shut down their industry.

“We will not let the people die of thirst, just for the sake of your profits,” the chief justice remarked.