21 July 2004	Wednesday	03 Jamadi-us-Saani 1425

ISLAMABAD, July 20: The National Assembly standing committee on environment in a meeting here on Tuesday criticized the Sindh government and the departments concerned of Hyderabad for what it said their irresponsible attitude in resolving the issue of contaminated water supply to the city.

A press release said MNA Begum Tehmina Dastee, as the residing authority, directed the Sindh government to submit a report on the issue by August 2. The committee was informed earlier about the deaths of 37 people due to the contaminated water supply and the consequent investigation against the relevant officials, including former directors-general of Wasa and Hyderabad Development Authority; chief engineer Sukkur Barrage and EDO (health), which led to the suspension of secretary irrigation, Sindh.

Presentations were made at the meeting by the district Nazim, DCO Hyderabad, director-general EPA, Sindh; acting MD Wasa Hyderabad and the representatives of provincial irrigation and health departments, after which it was decided that the report prepared by the Sindh government would be re-examined by a sub-committee.

The press release stated that the committee expressing concern over reports of possible water contamination in the Rawal Lake, supplying water to Islamabad and Rawalpindi, also directed the ministry of environment to take immediate action in that regard.

MNAs Dr Rozina Tufail, Fizza Junejo, Dr Hajra Tariq Aziz, Raheela Yahya, Meena Ehsan Leghari, Malik Amin Aslam Khar, Nawab Amanullah Khan, Rehman Nasir Chaudhry, Minister of State for Environment Tahir Iqbal and others attended the meeting.