ISLAMABAD – Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar has ordered the chemical examination of water samples taken from leading mineral water companies.
A two-judge bench of Supreme Court comprising, CJP Saqib Nisar and Justice Ijazul Ahsan, issued the orders while hearing a suo motu notice regarding the sale of drinking water.
On Saturday, the apex court had summoned chief executive officers (CEOs) of all the major mineral water companies on Sunday (Sept 16) in a suo motu notice regarding the alleged exploitation of groundwater resources without any charges and its fitness for human consumption.
These companies include Nestle, Coca-Cola, Pepsi, and Gourmet.
In his remarks, CJP Nisar said that water is very precious to us. “Mineral water companies for the last 20 years are acquiring water free of cost and have made billions of rupees profit after installing turbines, yet they paid nearly nothing to the government,” he remarked.
The top judge went on to say that all the mineral water companies will pay a reasonable price to the government for using the water and will sell the mineral water to the consumer at a reasonable price.
The bench also instructed the companies to submit their forensic audit report in 15 days, rejecting their request to prepare the report in one month.
