The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Friday ordered that the Katas Raj pond in Chakwal be refilled during a hearing of the case at its Lahore registry.
The Supreme Court was hearing a case related to the depleted Katas Raj pond in Chakwal – a revered site for Hindus which is said to have depleted due to operations in the vicinity of several cement factories that have sucked out the underground water.
During today's hearing, Chief Justice of Pakistan Justice Saqib Nisar ordered the cement factories to submit a report regarding the water being used in the factories. He further directed the deputy commissioner Chakwal to find out from where the factories were getting the water from.
"The depleted Katas Raj pond next to the temple should be refilled," the top judge remarked, adding, “Even if you have to take water tankers, take them but fill up the pond.”
Earlier, the Supreme Court barred cement factories from using potable water, as it admonished the private cement factories for putting profits before the environment.
In November last year, the Supreme Court had taken notice of reports that the pond next to the Katas Raj temple was drying up because cement factories nearby were allegedly drawing a large amount of water.