LAHORE:The Human Rights Commission of Pakistan (HRCP) has issued a fact-finding report claiming that the outdated water supply and broken drainage system in the provincial capital has become a major challenge for citizens.
The HRCP’s report, based on the research by public policy expert Dr Imdad Hussain, has blamed officers and outdated policies for the current crisis.According to the report, low-income populations, slums, women, transgender and disabled citizens were facing severe difficulties in accessing water and sanitation facilities.
The report pointed out that urban flooding during the monsoon has become a norm, while climate change and poor urban planning have further exacerbated the problems.The HRCP has demanded legislation to declare water and sanitation a basic human right and recommended that the slums be provided with water and sewage facilities without making land ownership a condition.
The report recommended the establishment of gender-equal and accessible public toilets for people with disabilities, linking usage to cost through the installation of water meters, and preventing wastage.
Furthermore, the report demanded preventing sewer workers from dangerous entry into manholes, enforcing safety rules, establishing community-based mechanisms for prompt redressal of citizen grievances, early warning systems and contingency planning to deal with climate emergencies while also recommending the adoption of a sustainable and environment-friendly water governance model.
