Use of tube wells causing water shortage in Islamabad: CJP

ISLAMABAD: The owners of tube wells are acquiring water for free and selling to residents of the federal capital, which is causing the shortage, remarked Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar on Friday.

During the hearing on suo motu notice over water scarcity ,eight alleged owners of tube wells, additional attorney general and officials from the Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad were present in the court.

One of the suspects, Zamrud Khan, told the court he did not own one but said the entire Cantonment was full of tube wells as the area was faced with sever water crisis.

He requested the court to issue orders for supply of water through alternate sources before the tube wells are closed down as Cantonment Board and Capital Development Authority were not cooperating with each other over the issue.

To this, the chief justice remarked that water shortage was mainly being caused by the owners of tube wells.

People in power responsible for water crisis: CJP

The chief justice was hearing a suo motu notice on water crisis

A representative of Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad, who was present in the court, said they would impose taxes on the use of tube wells.

When asked how many days the authority would take to levy the tax, the representative sought 15 days.

The chief justice sought details on tube wells from CDA, Cantonment Board and Metropolitan Corporation Islamabad. He also ordered reply on the issue from the executive office of Rawalpindi Cantonment Board and managing director of Water and Sanitation Authority within 10 days.