Availability of clean and pure drinking water is the responsibility of the government. Unfortunately no serious attention is being given at any strata of governance to ensure that clean drinking water is available to the masses.
The news at GEO on 19 September showing patients receiving treatment for abdominal diseases in hospitals where many deaths have occurred is pathetic.
There are perpetual reports of deaths including sickness as a result of drinking contaminated water. No official accepts responsibility and the government does not bother to trace out and punish the culprits. Such cases have been brought to the knowledge of the MPA's/MNA's and concerned Governors and it was complained that no action was taken. In the case of the bursting of the pipeline at the Pak Refinery Terminal - Karachi, it was pathetic to watch the oil spill being drained manually.
The residents of the area complained of suffering from skin and chest diseases. Most of them could not face the polluted air and made make-shift arrangements to stay with their relatives at night.
Major political parties are hell bent on fielding their choice District Nazims, where they have tremendous amounts of money available for "Development Projects". No wonder that there is such a craze to fill this slot by a blue eyed man. Funds allotted are being pocketed mercilessly with no checks and accountability at the grass root level of governance.
This governance has added to the miseries of the masses.
What use are the Motorways - Flyovers - Mega projects, where the public is deprived of the basic needs to exist? The government, at all tiers, has adopted an "Ostrich Walk" approach in matters relating to public Health - Education where they are on the receiving end. They are stretched to a point where further stretching will result in the break-up of the fibre of good governance.
People are not interested in Gwadar Port - highways - Flyovers etc. What they need are basic amenities like drinking water, cheap food and shelter. Some vested interests contesting the elections-2005, making tall claims that they will serve the masses, bring justice to their doorsteps, control consumer item prices are the ones from whom the public should be careful. The government reminds the people of the strides in the economy of the country, but fails to appreciate that the benefits of good economy have not yet reached the masses. They are still with a bowl in their hands.
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