ISLAMABAD:The Supreme Court of Pakistan has issued a notice to the Advocate General of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa (KP) in Khanpur Dam contaminated water case.
The case was heard by a constitutional bench of the Supreme Court, which had taken suo motu notice of the issue of polluted water supply.
During the hearing, WAPDA’s counsel, Ahsan Raza, informed the court that Khanpur Dam is the only source of drinking water for around five million people. He added that the executive district administration is facilitating activities in the area, noting that the number of boats operating in the dam has increased dramatically, from 20 to 326 boats.
Justice Jamal Khan Mandokhail remarked that the Public Health Authority (PHA) should establish clear rules to manage such activities. Justice Shakeel Ahmed added that the dam administration could restrict or ban motorboats if they contribute to pollution.
The counsel further stated that private operators are earning money through boating and have even set up six resorts around the dam.
Chief Justice Aamer Farooq questioned, “How can they operate boats without your permission?” Justice Mandokhail also asked what role WAPDA was playing in preventing such activities. The lawyer replied that a petition had been filed before the magistrate, but the situation had worsened after Khanpur was declared a separate tehsil.
Justice Aminuddin Khan observed that if boats are causing pollution, there should be an alternative solution. The counsel responded that electric boats could be used to reduce contamination.
The court subsequently issued a notice to the KP Advocate General and adjourned the hearing indefinitely.
