LAHORE: A writ petition was filed in the Lahore High Court (LHC) on Friday challenging non-availability of clean and fresh water in Lahore as well as the sharp decline in ground-water level in the city.
Haroon Farooq, a resident of Baghbanpura, filed a petition in the Lahore High Court (LHC) contending that the Punjab government irrigation department, Lahore Development Authority (LDA), Water and Sanitation Agency (WASA) among several other respondents have failed to fulfill their obligations which has resulted in non-availability of clean water in the city.
The petitioner said that the prime responsibility of the Punjab irrigation department is to manage, regulate and preserve ground-water, but the water in its jurisdiction is carelessly used and hence, the department’s ‘failure’ contributes to non-availability of ground-water.
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It was also claimed that due to ‘failures’ of LDA and WASA, and pertaining to lack of control and regulation of water supply, the non-availability of fresh water was troubling residents in Lahore.
To this end, the petitioner requested the high court to direct the respondents to prevent frequent non-availability of ground-water supply at petitioner’s house, prevent water deficiency, and ensure smooth and optimum level of ground-water supply in the city.
Moreover, it was requested that the court direct the respondents to carry out evaluation and assessment regarding the condition of aquifer, and quality and availability of sub-soil water in Lahore, that they perform their statutory obligations and ensure thrift use and efficient control of ground-water and take necessary steps for its proper management, conservation and preservation.
It was also requested that the Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) be directed to place on record latest research and data on ground water depletion.
The petitioner also mentioned that ground-water is one of the country’s most important natural resources since approximately 60 to 70 percent inhabitants of Pakistan are directly or indirectly dependent on ground-water for livelihood.