Quetta: The Balochistan High Court has strongly criticized the poor state of basic utilities and transport facilities in Quetta, expressing frustration over the lack of water, electricity, and proper travel infrastructure.
During the hearing of petitions concerning water and power shortages, officials from QESCO, WASA, and the Public Health Engineering (PHE) Department appeared before the court.
The court remarked that depriving citizens of clean water constitutes criminal negligence.
PHE officials informed the court that Rs. 20 billion had been allocated in the Public Sector Development Programme (PSDP) for ongoing projects this year, including Rs. 400 million specifically reserved for tube well schemes in suburban areas.
Residents of Hazara Town complained that a water supply mafia was selling water at inflated prices.
The court ordered the cancellation of all illegal agreements made by WASA and directed the Secretary of PHE to ensure the immediate release of funds.
It further instructed QESCO to provide electricity to all completed tube wells and dissolved all community water committees operating in Hazara Town, Faisal Town, and A-One City.
In a separate hearing on traffic reforms, a division bench comprising Justice Kamran Malakhail and Justice Gul Hassan Tareen presided over the case.
The court ordered a complete ban on the entry of auto-rickshaws into the Central Business District and emphasized the timely completion of electric bus and modern transport projects.
It stated that outdated and unfit buses should not be allowed to operate on any route. The bench further observed that instead of expanding Sariab Bridge, the land should be utilized for projects serving public interest.
The departments of Transport, Traffic, and Finance were instructed to formulate a joint strategy, with the court warning that any delay in implementing traffic reforms and environmental improvements would not be tolerated.
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It is worth mention that Quetta is hit with a severe water, power and gas shortage in the current time.
