By Abdul Qadir Qureshi
(Pakistan News & Features Services)
Karachi faced a shortage of 120 mgd in the supplies made to
the city following the disconnection of power supply to the pumping stations of
the Karachi Water & Sewerage Board (KWSB) and the situation could go from
bad to worse if the Karachi Electric Supply Corporation (KESC) remained adamant
in restoring electricity to pumping stations.
“There is every possibility that a severe crisis
situation may arise in the city due to water shortage as a result of KESC’s
action,” Qutbuddin Shaikh. Managing Director, (KWSB), warned.
He said that schedule of water supply was badly affected due
to shut down of power supply to pumping stations and if this continues, a
volatile situation among citizens may erupt and particularly during the weekend
when water consumption increases.
He pointed out that the KWSB was already faced with water
shortage but KESC’s such behaviour could further worsen the situation making it
difficult to maintain equitable supply of water.
Qutbuddin Shaikh reminded that the KWSB is a public utility
organization which has been supplying water on a very nominal rate on no profit
no loss basis.
He said although there is very low rate of recovery, still
the KWSB was supplying water notwithstanding its limitations and KESC should
keep the interest of people in view.
He said that the KESC should approach the Provincial and
Federal Governments for settlement of its dues instead of punishing the
citizens. He hoped that the KESC will make contact at government level instead
of resorting to an extreme action.
Reiterating the caution that the water supply shortage can
even result in a law and order situation, the KWSB Managing Director elaborated
that it takes more time in restoring water supply than the shut down hours and
as a result the water supply schedule gets badly affected.
