Katas Raj Temple case: SC orders inspection of cement factories

ISLAMABAD: The Supreme Court has constituted a committee to inspect cement factories sucking underground water of Katas Raj temple in the Potohar area of Rawalpindi division through drill bores, ARY News reported.

The SC bench was hearing a suo motu case pertaining to the unlawful water utilization of Katas Raj Temple pond.

During hearing of the case today, the apex court ordered inspection of cement factories in the case and sought report in this regard.

The court ordered that the head of the newly-formed team will be a member of the Supreme Court. Chief Justice Mian Saqib Nisar said the samples of water from cement factories pond will also be sent to the laboratory for test.

He asked the authorities concerned to inform whether it was an underground water or rainwater used by the cement factories.

The CJP ordered the deputy commissioner of police to cooperate with the team and asked the officer to immediately file a case against anyone attempting to impede the investigation.

“What if such big companies are caught stealing water”, inquired the chief justice.

He stated that the court also previously didn’t order registration of FIR against owners of cement factories. First, our team will probe the case and the next decision will be taken in the light of investigation results, he added.

Hearing of the case was adjourned till Friday.

During prior hearings of the case, a representative of the cement factory told the judges that some 80 thousand gallons of water is consumed by one cement plant. In a nutshell, factories suck water through drill bores, which results in severe drop in the level of subsoil water, causing hardships to the local residents.