Water level in Islamabad decreases: Senate told

ISLAMABAD (Web Desk) - Senate was told on Thursday that the underground water level in Islamabad has plummeted and in certain areas residents were facing acute water scarcity.

During question hour, Senators were told in reply to a question from Mian Muhammad Attiq Sheikh that no proposal was under consideration to impose a ban on water  boring in areas falling under the jurisdiction of Islamabad.

The Senate was told that the population of urban and rural areas of Islamabad had surpassed 2 million and the existing water supply was insufficient to cater to the needs of Islamabad residents. 26 new tube wells have also been installed in Islamabad to ensure smooth supply of water, the Senate was told.

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Responding to a question from Senator Azam Swati, State Minister of CADD said that arrangements had been made to supply clean drinking water to hospitals in the federal capital. A filtration plant had also been constructed at the Polyclinic Hospital and filters have been installed with all water coolers.

Replying to a question from Senator Mohsin Aziz, State Minister of CADD said that the matter of suspension in gas supply to polyclinic was being probed. 3 employees including one doctor of the hospital have been suspended in connection to this matter.

Responding to a question from Senator Nisar Muhammad Khan, Minister for the Cabinet, Sheikh Aftab said that the Islamabad International Airport project had been started at a cost of Rs 36 billion rupees and now the revised PC-1 had gone up to Rs 81.17 billion.