Sir: through this space, I would like to convey to the Cantonment Board Clifton, specifically their Water Supply branch, the anguish and misery of the residents of Clifton Kehkashan, Block seven (adjacent to Punjab House in Bath Island), Karachi.
It has been over two years since we received a single drop of potable water from the local water supply, despite the fact that hefty bills are paid without fail to the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board. Residents of this locality have no choice but to surrender to the tanker mafia and buy water at exorbitant prices.
In the last two weeks, the problem has been further aggravated, since the Rangers have closed the hydrants from which the tankers were filling water, resulting in an acute crisis for all the resident of the area. While there is a need to crack down on the tanker mafia, the water board has not made any arrangements to supply water through the direct supply lines in the absence of water provided by the mafia.
Our plea to the water board is to find a solution for the hapless residents before springing into action and closing their only source for water and survival. We have been run aground in this tussle between the law-enforcement agencies and the water tanker mafia. What is the fault of the poor citizens? We are suffering despite paying all taxes and water bills. Various complains have been made to authorities but all has been in vain. I will be highly thankful if this issue was resolved with haste.
OWAIS ALI MEMON
Karachi
Published in Daily Times, July 23rd 2018.