LAHORE - The Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) has launched a crackdown on illegal water companies and sealed 11 plants, discarding their total stocks on the spot.

Authorities sprang into action after Supreme Court Chief Justice Saqib Nisar showed serious concerns over supply of contaminated water to citizens a couple of days ago.

PSQCA took action in line with the policy of the government and special directives of Director General Khalid Siddiq about supply of clean drinking water to people.

Resuming the hearing on a suo motu case involving contaminated water supply to the masses, Supreme Court Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said he could summon Punjab Chief Minister Shehbaz Sharif in this case. “If Sindh CM can appear in the Supreme Court then why not the Punjab Chief Minister?” CJ Nisar asked. Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Justice Ijazul Ahsan were other members of the bench. The CJ observed that it was surprising the government had not decided its priorities so far. 

The Tuesday’s report said a special PSQCA special team conducted raids in Johar Town, Punjab Housing Society, Wapda Town, Public Accounts Society, Naz Town, NFC Housing Society, Defence Road, Raiwind Road and other posh areas of the provincial capital.

“The unscrupulous manufacturers, including Pure Fina Water, Heavenly Water, Pure Shifa Water, Al-Nakhal Water, Supply Water, Liquid for Life Water, Haneeba Water, Heaven H2O Water, Aqua Super Life Water, Hygyn H2O Water and Canderya Water were involved in filling substandard bottled water and the companies were working illegally without PSQCA licences,” it added.

The Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) submitted reports on water supply to the bench consisting of Justice Manzoor Ahmad Malik and Justice Ijazul Ahsan.  Examining a report, Justice Ijazul Ahsan observed that it was shocking that unclean water was being supplied to the Supreme Court’s Lahore registry. The chief justice went hard on Punjab Chief Secretary Zahid Saeed who was present in the court.

“It is my chamber which is getting unclean water and what will be the fate of a common man. The Punjab CM holds sessions claiming welfare projects for people and billions of rupees are spent on projects but why the government cannot take action for supply of clean water to citizens? It is not just water, it is poison which is being supplied to homes,” the top judge observed.

The government said the special PSQCA team discarded a huge quantity of stocks on the spot. In the court the chief secretary said: “According to my information, the water is fine from the source, the connection is also fine; there is problem with the tap from where samples were taken by the Pakistan Council for Research in Water Resources.” On this, the CJ remarked “lagta hai phir hamari tanki he kharab hai”. This translates “it seems then the problem is with our water tank”. 

PSQCA Director General Khalid Siddiq said that his surveillance teams were striving to trace illegal manufacturers of drinking water and strict action would be taken against the companies if they were found preparing substandard water.

The director general said working without PSQCA's licence was a heinous crime and special teams had been formed to check these black sheep. "A mechanism has been developed to conduct consumer awareness programmes at major superstores in various cities, create awareness among the general public and promote quality culture," he added. “Panic spreads among people about unclean water,” the CJ observed. He said: “they will have to set SOPs.” The case was adjourned for an indefinite period.