Punjab govt gets 3 weeks to submit plan for provision of clean water

LAHORE (92 News) – A three-member bench of Supreme Court headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Justice Mian Saqib Nisar resumed hearing suo motu case regarding provision of clean drinking water in the court's Lahore Registry on Sunday. During the proceedings, Punjab Chief Minister Mohammad Shahbaz Sharif appeared before the Supreme Court Lahore Registry in Clean Water Case on Sunday. While welcoming Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in the court, the CJP asked why was the task of sewage of polluted water and hospital waste handed over to private company. He observed that that the court had to take suo motu notice on issues of public welfare when you (Shehbaz Sharif) have been in ruling the province for the last 10 years. The CJP further remarked that the court wanted to resolve issues of public welfare with the support of the government but the companies have been not been working in the right way. Justice Saqib Nisar observed that the performance of the government is unsatisfactory due to which the province’s CM is in the court. Shehbaz Sharif while presenting his government's position on the issue, told the court that the government completed several public welfare projects in the province. The Punjab CM said latest disposal plants have been provided at government hospitals to ensure proper disposal of hospital waste. The chief minister said an independent judiciary is necessary for strengthening democracy and a strong Pakistan. Sharif requested the court to give him three weeks for plan to be developed for the issue. “I will appear before the court along with detailed proposal of water treatment,” he said. The court sought a detailed plan for provision of clean drinking water and proper disposal of hospital waste, in three weeks. Punjab Law Minister Rana Sanaullah and Provincial Minister for Education Rana Mashood were also accompanying the Punjab chief minister.