The Sindh government has launched a major legal crackdown on water theft in Karachi, marking a historic step to protect the city’s limited water resources.
Under the new initiative, the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KW&SC) has been given expanded powers to enforce a zero-tolerance policy against illegal water extraction and distribution.
A special tribunal has been established to ensure fast hearings and decisions in water theft cases. The tribunal was formally inaugurated by Chief Justice of the Sindh High Court, Justice Zafar Ahmed Rajput, in a ceremony attended by Karachi Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab and senior government officials.
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According to KW&SC officials, the tribunal has been formed under the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation Act.
Its main purpose is to speed up legal action against individuals and organised networks involved in water theft, a problem that has severely affected Karachi’s already strained water supply system.
The inauguration ceremony was held at the KW&SC headquarters in Karsaz.
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Several senior officials were present, including KW&SC Chief Executive Officer Ahmed Ali Siddiqui, Chief Operating Officer Engineer Asadullah Khan, Chief Financial Officer Ammar Ali Khan, and tribunal judge Munir Bakhsh Bhutto.
After the ceremony, the Chief Justice and the Mayor visited the Hydrants Cell Management and Complaint Management Center, where they were briefed on water supply operations, complaint handling systems, and ongoing actions against illegal connections.
Speaking on the occasion, Mayor Barrister Murtaza Wahab said the special tribunal has full legal authority to take strict action against water theft.
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He said cases related to illegal water connections and distribution will be resolved on a priority basis to ensure accountability and transparency.
He described the tribunal as a milestone in protecting public rights and strengthening governance in Karachi’s water sector.
Water theft has remained a long-standing challenge in Karachi, where illegal hydrants and connections often divert water from residential areas to commercial users.
