ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court on Friday constituted a two-member commission to look into the problem of drinking water shortage in the Bhagnari area of Balochistan’s Bolan district and sought a report in a fortnight.

Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar had taken suo motu notice a few days ago over a video on social media showing people and animals were drinking contaminated water from the same pond.

According to the video, which was also run by some TV channels, the stagnant water in the pond outside Bhagnari was contaminated, polluted and unhygienic.

The Supreme Court directed the Balochistan government to install a water treatment plant in the area in a month.

Suo motu follows a video showing men and animals drinking water from same pond

When the CJP asked the deputy commissioner of Bolan district about the time frame for installation of a drinking water plant in Bhagnari, he said it could take a couple of months.

The CJP expressed displeasure over the deputy commissioner’s reply and wondered why everyone sought two months’ time to execute the court orders. He directed the district administration to install a reverse osmosis plant in the area in a month.

The two-member commission would be headed by Supreme Court Bar Association president Amanullah Kanrani.

CJP Nisar expressed displeasure over the provincial chief secretary’s absence when he was summoned by the court.

Taking notice of the mater on Dec 8, the CJP directed the advocate general, chief secretary, health secretary, secretary of the Public Health Engineering Department, deputy commissioner of Bolan district and representatives of the Balochistan government to appear before the apex court on Dec 14.

During the hearing, CJP Nisar regretted that despite the release of a huge amount for various projects, nothing had been spent on water-related schemes.

Published in Dawn, December 15th, 2018