SHC orders local govt to destroy all vegetable cultivated in wastewater

KARACHI: The Sindh High Court (SHC) on Wednesday ordered local government officials to wipe out all vegetables being cultivated in sewage water in farms near the suburb areas of Karachi.

A two-member bench, comprising Justice Muhammad Ali Mazhar and Justice Yousuf Ali Sayeed, issued the directives during the hearing of a petition pertaining to the use of contaminated water for growing vegetables near the Malir ravine.

During the hearing, Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar ordered the Deputy Commissioner Malir to personally inspect the areas and destroy any crops being cultivated in sewage and wastewater.

He noted that local government is the domain of the deputy commissioners, and regretted that their response to the issues so far has been disappointing. The deputy commissioners assured the court they would execute its orders.

The complainant’s lawyer told the court, “The land near the Malir ravine was given by the Sindh government on lease for 30 years.” On this the judge asked “Was the land given on lease to grow vegetables on sewerage water?” The court thereafter sought details of the allotment of state land in the district.

Justice Mohammad Ali Mazhar further remarked the court does not want anything wrong to happen under any circumstances. The court ordered the relevant authorities to form a task-force and take immediate action against the use of sewerage water for vegetable cultivation.

The SHC also directed the counsel representing the farmers cultivating vegetables in the area to file a response in the case’s next hearing on May 19.