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KARACHI: Several officials of Karachi Water and Sewerage Board (KWSB) are allegedly involved in stealing water being supplied to Karachi’s PS 104 constituency, which has curtailed water supply to several areas, it emerged on Tuesday.
According to details, water crisis has arisen in Mehmoodabad, Nursery, Chanesar Goth, Manzoor Colony, Junejo Town and Akhtar Colony.
Informed sources have claimed that KWSB has given the double charge of Superintendent Engineer and AXEN to District East officer – who is reportedly facing corruption charges levelled by National Accountability Bureau (NAB) – against the Supreme Court (SC) orders.
KWSB officials Syed Mazhar Hussain, Superintendent Engineer and AXEN S.M Ijaz along with Arif Sattar and Nadeem Al Hassan have misled PPP leader Saeed Ghani and his brother Farhan Ghani that they were not being provided the required amount of water by bulk supply officers.
In this regard, KWSB Bulk Supply Officer Zafar Palijo has also been removed from the post due to political pressure. However, water supply to PS 104 constituency could not be restored despite removal of the official. As a result, residents of Union Council 1 to Union Council 6 are forced to protest against the mismanagement of the KWSB administration.
Relevant sources have informed that Syed Mazhar Hussain has recently received a bill for a new motor after repairing a malfunctioned LSR motor. The official has been stationed in the workshop for a long time and also owns a farmhouse, named Al Syed, in Dumba Goth. Sources further claimed that Mazhar is conducting regular workshop work by installing government machinery.
It is pertinent to mention here that the KWSB used to supply water to Manzoor Colony, Mehmoodabad and other neighbourhoods on Saturday, Monday and Tuesday from 9 am to 1 pm. In addition, the water supply continued throughout the week. Later, the authority reversed the timings from 10am to 1am.
Under the patronage of Superintendent Engineer and AXEN, the water of Jamshed Town is being stolen from the 48-inch line and being supplied to Gulshan Town where Nadeem Al Hassan collects monthly bribe from the owners of big shopping plazas and structures.
Meanwhile, sources claimed that Arif Sattar is involved in supplying water to Karachi Admin by stealing from Mehmoodabad and Manzoor Colony. Both Nadeem Al Hassan and Arif Sattar also claim to provide monthly bribes to AXEN.
Due to AXEN District East and its subordinate officers, water to Akhtar Colony, Mehmoodabad, and Chanesar Goth is being supplied from other areas besides Qayyumabad, where dozens of illegal hydrants are being operated and no action has been taken by the anti-theft cell except for a bogus operation.
It has been learned that KWSB Executive Engineer Syed Mazhar Hussain owns several properties in Golimar, while he also runs a real estate business. Reports have emerged that Mazhar has recently bought a house abroad.
Earlier, the former Secretary Local Government had penned down a letter to the KWSB officials and sought records of officers who have not provided their credentials yet. Syed Mazhar was also among the officers who had not provided his record, and action was ordered under E&D Rules 1987.
The residents of the area had also protested against the theft of water in PS 104 by constructing underground tanks and water scarcity. They also chanted slogans against the PPP and the concerned MPA. The ombudsman and the court were also approached by some social leaders in this regard.
Sources have claimed that some public representatives have decided to provide details of the officers concerned in this regard to the National Accountability Bureau (NAB).
