KARACHI: KWSB given deadline for normal water supply
By Our Staff Reporter
KARACHI, Nov 5: Elected representatives of the Lyari Town on Monday set the Nov 10 deadline for the solution of water supply problem in the area.
They warned that if the KWSB failed to restore normal water supply, the issue will be left to the people to decide.
This announcement was made by the Town Nazim Abdul Khalique Juma and Naib Nazim Malik Mohammad Khan Awan at a joint Press conference which was also attended by the Nazims, Naib Nazims and councillors of the 11 union councils of Lyari.
Former PPP MPA and deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly Nabil Ahmed Gabol condemned the “step-motherly treatment” being extended to elected representatives of local bodies.
Mr Gabol said if the authorities did not mend their ways, the PPP would also consider the option to ask all the Awam Dost elected representatives to quit their offices.
At the outset, Naib Nazim Malik Mohammad Awan read out a statement giving the background of the crisis, and said that the Lyari was not getting its proper water share.
“The KWSB claims that the share of Lyari is 13 mgd. If it is considered correct, we even do not get the official supply because of diversions and leakages”.
According to him, water supply is not more than six to 10 mgd.
Water supply position in all the 11 union councils was almost the same. Either most of the areas do not get water regularly or were facing an acute water shortage, he said.
Mr Awan accused the KWSB officials of causing a damage to the reputation of local bodies institutions.
He claimed that due to indifferent attitude of the KWSB officials, the people had lost faith in devolution, saying a crisis was brewing up and they were being forced to adopt the course of an agitation.
Abdul Khalique Juma, the Nazim of the Town, also briefed the newsmen about various meetings held with the higher officials in which the water shortage problem was discussed.
He said there was no outcome of these meetings as not a single decision had been implemented and we had been given an impression that “our decision to take part in the local bodies elections was wrong”.
In reply to a question, he said the total requirement of the town is 45 mgd keeping in view the growth of a population of more than 700,000 people. Karachi is being supplied 450 mgd water.
In the present circumstances, we have no option but to leave the matter to the people, he declared. He warned that in case the water supply position was not improved by Nov 10, they would announce their next strategy.
He said all the town and union council Nazims, Naib Nazims and councillors will meet on Nov 10 to discuss the situation.
Later, in reply to newsmen questions, former deputy speaker of the Sindh Assembly Nabil Ahmed Gabol, said the possibility of resignations by the Awam Dost representatives could not be ruled out.
He said people’s problems could only be solved by democratically elected representatives, adding the sooner the power is handed to the elected representatives, the better it would be for the country.
The press conference was attended by a large number of women councillors, including city councillor Mumtaz Taj who have also endorsed the decisions announced by the Town Nazim and Naib Nazims.
