Zubair Qureshi
Residents of the federal capital have urged the Mayor of Islamabad, Ansar Aziz Sheikh to take action for restoration of water supply to the sectors where it is faulty, disrupted for weeks now.
Public is in sheer distress and on the mercy of water tanker mafia while the Metropolitan Corporation of Islamabad (MCI) is indifferent to their woes, rather minting money in connivance with the tanker mafia, alleged a number of aggrieved residents of the federal capital while talking to Pakistan Observer here Thursday.
Islamabad Green Citizens Front (IGCF), a member of the Pakistan Civil Society Network in a letter to the Mayor highlighted acute water shortage in many residential sectors of the federal capital.
“Water scarcity has peaked in recent days in the absence of the routine water supply. MCI has not repaired the Sangjani turbines and some other pipes supplying water to Islamabad,” said the letter.
In the letter, the IGCF convener Munir Ahmed wrote on behalf of the citizens that MCI water tanker facility was being misused by the tanker mafia in connivance with the MCI staff deputed there. He said the MCI staff asked the citizens to buy water from private tankers while the MCI tankers remained under-used.
It is ironic that MCI sold 2,000 gallons of water from their G-10/4 and I-10 facilities at Rs300 to a private water tanker that is further sold for Rs 3000, he further complained in the letter. This is sheer violation of the mandate of the MCI concerned section and its staff and the pathetic situation shows the sorry state of affairs which should immediately be checked, and the miscreant should be taken to task who don’t run their own facility to the maximum of capacity.
The IGCF members have requested the Mayor for immediate suspension of the shift in-charges of the water tanker facilities to conduct an impartial inquiry against them on supporting the private water tankers and negligence in providing relief to the citizens. Some honest and steadfast staff should be appointed to replace the suspended staff.
The IGCF has also asked the Mayor to immediate stop irrational facilitation to the private tankers mafia and the MCI staff unduly facilitating them should be taken to task. Efficiency of the MCI water tanker facility shall be improved, and MCI should issue a proper receipt of whatever meagre amount it receives from the citizens on account of charges for the water tanker.
The IGCF has suggested to the Mayor to immediately start water metering system in its jurisdiction besides launching monitoring teams including civil society volunteers to curb the misuse of water to wash cars and porches all around the city.
