MANSEHRA: Representatives of neighbourhood councils on Sunday announced that they would go on a hunger strike against the severe water shortage in the city and its suburbs.

“People are without potable water due to the ongoing dry spell yet the tehsil municipal administration has failed to address this crisis,” Abdul Waheed, the chairman of neighbourhood council-I, told reporters.

Flanked by a group of local government representatives and residents, he said they planned to set up a hunger strike camp outside the deputy commissioner’s office from February 14.

“We expect a large crowd at this hunger strike camp to compel the TMA to ensure an adequate water supply for thousands of households in the city and its suburbs,” Mr Waheed added.

Say TMA revived an abandoned scheme, but was yet to make it functional

He said TMA had revived an abandoned water supply scheme with financial assistance from a non-governmental organisation but it had failed to make it operational to meet the drinking water needs of urban areas.

“Through this joint collaboration between TMA and the NGO, a 2,400-foot-long supply line was laid about six months ago, but due to political hurdles, it has yet to be made operational,” he said.

Mr Waheed further stated that with the holy month of Ramazan approaching, the existing water crisis would only worsen if immediate action was not taken.

The underground water table has significantly declined in recent years, causing household boreholes (hand pumps) in the city and surrounding areas to dry up.

Recently, the government secured a $41 million soft loan from the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia for Mansehra’s gravity flow water supply scheme to address the city’s drinking water needs. However, experts estimate that its completion will take at least two to three years.

BHU WITHOUT STAFF: The residents of Shungli Bandi area of Oghi tehsil on Monday demanded of the government to appoint doctors and other staff at the only basic health unit in the area.

“We lack transportation, education, and healthcare services. If the government does not address issues we have been facing, we will take to the streets for our rights,” Siddique Ahmad, a resident, told reporters on Sunday.

A group of locals stated that they had raised these concerns with local lawmakers and relevant departments, but to no avail.

“The local BHU lacks adequate healthcare services, medicines, and laboratory tests. Above all, the health department has yet to appoint doctors and paramedics,” Mr Ahmad said.

Another resident, Tariq Tanoli, said the Shungli Bandi union council, which consisted of dozens of villages, didn’t have a high school for girls.

“Most of schoolgirls discontinue their education after completing middle school, as the entire union council still lacks a high school even in this modern era,” he said.

Sajid Khan, another resident, said that the main road connecting Oghi in Mansehra to the neighbouring Torghar district was in a highly dilapidated condition.

“This union council is rich in natural resources and scenic beauty. Locals have served the country in high-ranking positions in the judiciary, health, education, and armed forces, yet the area continues to be neglected by successive governments,” he said. Mr Khan added that due to the lack of basic facilities, residents faced hardships and were compelled to migrate to urban areas in Hazara and other parts of the country.

“We have also met with local MPA Akram Ghazi and urged him to ensure that the government addresses our problems. Otherwise, we will take to the streets seeking our rights,” he said.

Published in Dawn, February 10th, 2025