ISLAMABAD: National Assembly (NA) Deputy Speaker Syed Ghulam Mustafa Shah took notice on Saturday of the supply of contaminated water in the Parliament House and Parliament Lodges.

The issue of contaminated water was highlighted in an investigative report by the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR), Ministry of Science and Technology.

The government of Pakistan has directed PCRWR to monitor water sources, including bottled and mineral water brands, and to publicise the results to raise awareness of public health.

The deputy speaker expressed deep concern over the supply of unsafe water in the Parliament House and the lodges.

He directed the administration of the NA Secretariat to take water samples from the Parliament House and the lodges and conduct an immediate and thorough investigation by the authorised laboratory.

Besides, he instructed action against individuals responsible for water supply in Parliament House and the lodges in light of the investigation.

The NA deputy speaker observed that the use of contaminated water may pose health risks to parliamentarians and staff members in Parliament House and Parliament Lodges.

“Immediate steps should be taken to ensure pollution-free, transparent, and hygienic water supply in Parliament House and the Lodges,” Mr Shah said, adding that the use of contaminated water has harmful effects on human health.

NA deputy speaker further noted: “Use of polluted and harmful water can lead to infectious diseases like hepatitis, TB, and kidney diseases.”

He directed the PCRWR to inspect the filters and cleanliness of the filtration plant installed in the Parliament House and the lodges and to submit a detailed report.

Recently, the NA Deputy Speaker stressed the need to ensure austerity and quality during the maintenance of Parliament Lodges and MNAs’ hostels.

He expressed these views while presiding over a meeting with senior officers of the Capital Development Authority (CDA) in Parliament House Islamabad.

He told the concerned authorities that every possible measure should be ensured to utilize the public money, keeping in view the long-term utility and durability.

Mr Shah had expressed his dismay over the negligence of cleanliness and poor quality of maintenance in Parliament Lodges and hostels for MNAs.

While taking notice of the issues of allotments to MNAs, Mr Shah also issued directions for the preparation of a uniform and transparent policy for smooth allotments and maintenance of the Parliament Lodges.

He said that ensuring the same parameters in maintaining Parliament lodges would save the public money. Moreover, he instructed CDA to follow quality standards in terms of durability and the best use of public money.

The meeting was attended by senior officers of the Capital Development Authority and the National Assembly Secretariat.

Published in Dawn, March 31st, 2024