News Desk
Quetta : The Balochistan High Court has expressed serious concern over the use of untreated sewage water for irrigating vegetable crops and fodder fields, warning that the practice could pose significant risks to human and animal health.
A two-member bench comprising Justice Iqbal Ahmed Kasi and Justice Mian Muhammad Rauf Atta directed the Director General of the Balochistan Environmental Protection Agency (BEPA), Managing Director of the Water and Sanitation Authority (WASA), and Administrator of Quetta to submit detailed reports before the next hearing.
The court sought comprehensive information about measures already taken and proposed to prevent the use of untreated sewage water for agricultural irrigation. It also directed the authorities to provide details regarding sewage water quality, treatment facilities, and arrangements for its safe disposal.
During the proceedings, the bench observed that untreated sewage water may contain arsenic, heavy metals and other hazardous contaminants that can seriously threaten public health. It noted that these pollutants could enter agricultural crops through contaminated irrigation water and eventually reach humans and animals through the food chain.
The court emphasised that the concerns raised in the constitutional petition regarding public health, food safety and environmental pollution could not be ignored.
The bench also directed the petitioner’s counsel to implead the Director General of the Balochistan Food Authority as respondent No. 7 in the constitutional petition.
Furthermore, the court ordered the relevant departments to review compliance with previous judicial directions issued in Constitutional Petition No. 813/2019 and assess whether the measures taken by government institutions had been effective.
The court stressed that the authorities must move beyond formal assurances and ensure coordinated, practical and effective measures to prevent environmental contamination and protect public health.
The concerned departments have been directed to submit reports outlining sewage treatment arrangements, pollution control measures and future strategies for ensuring safe agricultural practices before the next hearing.
The Balochistan High Court adjourned further proceedings for three weeks.
