Water is the basic living Component for Human life but unfortunately not only Karachi’s suburban’s has the scarcity of water but the other town’s water requirement are not fulfilled. Water is the basic component for good Health and is sign of Health and Hygiene. Many of the areas of Karachi are not getting the proper water supply and have facing several associated problems due to lacking of water. People are helpless to buy the water from water Tankers which is hazardous for human Health. For highlighting this important issue and also to divert attention of higher authorities, a Press briefing is arranged on Monday 7th July by HANDS with collaboration of Karachi Press Club and Health Journalist Association of Pakistan at Karachi Press Club, in which awareness to media has given to play their role in addressing these challenges. On this occasion resident of Gadap Town representing thier community and highlighted their issues which they are facing in their town, while the solution they recive were also presented.
On this occasion,General Manager HANDS, Ms. Bilquis Rehman, address to the Media to take this sensitive issue seriously and highlight in masses as 70% of disease burden of Pakistan is due to water borne diseases. On this occassion, the leader of the residents of Gadap Town Yousuf Goth Mr.Ghos Baksh and Mr. Mohammad Ali inform the Media that the total Population of UC 7 is around 80,000 and Portable Water scarcity is at peak, apart from electricity, education and povery. There is no pipeline in many areas even, hygiene and sanitation problems are dismal. They also inform the journalists that there is only one pumping station in this UC, which were installed 15 years back to provide water to 18,000 population of that time and now the population is around 80,000. They further added that residents of Yousuf Goth raise this problem with Water Board many times but Water Board did not have the resources to increase the water volume in the locality.
HANDS, General Manager,Ghulam Mustafa Zaor sahred that HANDS conduct the survey in 2012 to find out the water problems of Yousuf Goth’s residents and we succeed to mobilized funds from Water Aid and a project has been launched. In 2012 we initiate work in Gadap town to solve the water problem of the area and with joint collaborative efforts of the residents and Water Board we succeed to provide water to this area.
Chief Superintendent Engineer, Water Board, Mr.Mohammad Ali Shaikh added, that in 2012, the Filter Plant is repaired from the cooperation of HANDS and Water-Aid in Yousuf Goth from which people are now getting the facility of filtered water, he further added that from 2013 we also tried to enhance the capablity of filter plant. With the cost around 4,400 thousand, we increase the the capability of pumping station to fulfill the demand of area but earlier we were only addressing 20% Population need. Due to increase in capacity of pumping station the Yousuf Goth resident Mohammad Baksh says that our 60% population is now facilitated through the efforts of residents and Water Board through support of NGO HANDS and Water-Aid funding. We have been provided five supply lines so far, one Filter Plant and a Pumping Station has repaired.
This UC is creating the best example for all Karachits and even for the country for mutual efforts of the people and City Government Department. By concluding the briefing Mr.Zainulabideen from Karachi Press Club representative and also from Health Journalist Association assured their solidarity with this cause and committed to highlight this into media to get relief to people.