Karachi water scarcity can damage national economy: Shahid Rasheed Butt

Islamabad, June 19, 2016 (PPI-OT): Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders on Sunday said water scarcity in Karachi has reached new heights which can damage to national economy. Government should take immediate steps as the concerned departments have failed to fulfil half of the water requirement of the city, it said.

Karachi needs 110 billion gallon water daily but it is getting 45 billion gallons which is insufficient, said Patron Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders Shahid Rasheed Butt. The highly influential tanker mafia is the major beneficiary of the intensified water crisis in the economic and financial capital of Pakistan, he added.

Shahid Rasheed Butt said that the industrialists of Karachi are forced to pay around Rs 4 billion to tanker mafia to keep their units running while shortage of water has taken toll on textile and value added industry. He said that corrupt officials and tanker mafia has emerged as a serious threat to people and industry of Karachi as it has added to cost of doing business compromising competitiveness.

He said that some officials are known for creating artificial shortage of water in different areas putting residents on the mercy of tanker mafia. The theft of water translate into benefit of Rs. 5 billion for the tanker mafia while there are many officials who share the spoils, he said. He said that over 5000 tankers have put strain on roads, bridges, resulting in traffic congestion and terrorise masses.

For more information, contact:
Jahangir Akhtar
Secretary General
Islamabad Chamber of Small Traders and Small Industry
Office No, 9 Block E, Super Market, Islamabad
Cell: 0344-5111174