Daily Times

PESHAWAR: Terming Peshawar the dirtiest city with poor sanitation and increasing pollution, a Peshawar High Court bench on Thursday held authorities responsible for turning a blind eye to maintain beauty of the provincial capital once known as city of flowers.

The court warned to take punitive action against the concerned institutions if they continue to drag their feet and failed to perform then. Justice Qaiser Rasheed while heading a two-judge bench observed that the city was turned into God forsaken city due to dereliction from duties by the concerned authorities.

“If they continue to drag their feet and failed to perform then we have to take some punitive action and send them packing,” Justice Qaiser Rasheed warned.

He observed that the growing pollution, poor sanitation has been affecting the residents and was a serious matter. The bench was hearing a case related to increasing pollution and poor sanitation filed by Hammid Khan through his counsel Shoaib Jally.

When the hearing commenced on the petition, DG EPA informed the court that solid waste was still being burnt in the open air despite clear court directions. He said that notices were issued to the CBP but to no avail and claimed he has proof of waste burning.

Justice Rasheed asked CBP Executive Officer to explain why burning of waste was not stopped to which cantonment executive officer replied that a contractor who was tasked to dispose the garbage was burning it and he was served a notice. Justice Rasheed observed why not you cancel contract of the contractor who was causing problems to the residents of three townships including Hayatabad, Regi Lalma and Police Colony. “Why you issued contract to such incapable contractor. In fact everything is happening under your nose,” the judge remarked.

He observed that due to negligence of officials concerned the cleanest Peshawar was turned into the dirtiest. In response to WSSP comments in which it termed the petition as frivolous and fictitious and should be dismissed, the bench observed that it was not the proper reply to a court notice. The bench also expressed its annoyance over absence of district nazim and officials of WSSP and directed them to make their presence sure on next hearing.

The bench also directed the CBP official to monitor the situation its areas and appoint a watchman to check burning of waste and other pollution causing factors.

The court inquired WSSP counsel why land for for disposal of solid waste was acquired to which he replied that efforts were underway to get it suitable place. Transport Department representative also appeared and stated that work on mass transit system would be launched from March next year to which Justice Rasheed remarked that it should have been constructed two years ago.

Petitioner’s counsel Shoaib Jally argued that Peshawar was the only city that didn’t have a mass transit system. The bench also expressed its displeasure over the Communication and Works Department negligence to repair and maintain city roads.

Justice Rasheed ordered to summon chief engineer or executive engineer immediately and remarked that the chief engineer should quit if he could not perform his duties. “Road are in shabby and extremely dilapidated condition that shows serious dereliction from duties on part of C&W officials,” he stated.

The judge observed that keeping in view the dilapidated condition of roads in Shuba Bazar, Namak Mandi and Khyber Bazaar Road there should be an emergency plan.

He directed the repair the roads within a month and warned him any failure would be considered as direct contempt followed by fine and punishment. The XEN was asked to ensure his presence on next hearing with complete details of repair work. “The cantonment should also give details of its own roads on next hearing,” the judge orders.