KARACHI: The Supreme Court on Tuesday ordered the formation of a commission headed by a Sindh High Court judge for fair distribution of drinking water in the province.

A two-judge SC bench headed by Justice Amir Hani Muslim was hearing a petition filed by Advocate Shahab Usto at its Karachi registry. The petitioner had moved the SC against the authorities concerned for their alleged failure in providing potable drinking water and clean environment to the people in Sindh. The SC directed the SHC chief justice to name one judge to head the commission.

The bench said the commission would be bound to inquire into the petitioner’s allegation and to submit its report within six weeks.

Earlier, the petitioner had submitted that the Sindh government had established the North Sindh Urban Services Corporation in 2009-10 for clean water supply, and sewerage and solid waste services in eight districts of upper Sindh but the same had not benefited the public at large in the districts.

The apex court was asked to direct the authorities to provide clean drinking water and other basic necessities to the citizens of Sindh.

Published in Dawn December 28th, 2016