• Shortage of supply doesn’t absolve Cantonment Board Clifton of its duty to adopt effective distribution mechanism, infrastructure improvement, rules SHC
• Bench orders KWSC to increase bulk water supply to CBC, eliminate illegal hydrants
• Asks CBC to produce notification to prove that DHA Phase VI, VII and VIII come under its jurisdiction
KARACHI: The Sindh High Court on Tuesday directed the Cantonment Board Clifton (CBC) to establish a sustainable piped water supply system within the Defence Housing Authority (DHA) in three months to ensure regular and equitable supply to the residents.
The SHC also ordered the Karachi Water and Sewerage Corporation (KWSC) to take all necessary measures to enhance bulk water supply to the CBC and eliminate illegal hydrants and leakages.
A two-judge constitutional bench headed by Justice Adnan-ul-Karim Memon said that the CBC will establish a sustainable piped water supply system within three months and till then water supply to all residents through bowsers will continue.
The bench issued these directives while disposing of 13 identical petitions filed between 2021 and 2025 mainly seeking continuous and adequate supply of potable water to DHA residents.
The petitioners also submitted that DHA Phase-VIII was a predominantly civilian residential area and cannot lawfully be treated as part of a cantonment.
A provincial law officer informed the bench that in the light of earlier court orders in these matters, a dedicated pipeline was suggested as a permanent solution to address the water issues of DHA and Clifton.
The bench was also informed about an order of the Supreme Court passed in 2020 directing CBC to ensure availability of water to all residents of DHA.
The bench in its order said that CBC was legally bound to provide essential civic amenities including water while the KWSC bearing the primary responsibility for ensuring adequate provision of water to municipal authorities including CBC.
It noted that the shortage of bulk supply, though a relevant factor, did not absolve CBC of its duty to adopt effective distribution mechanism and infrastructure improvement.
The bench also observed that the bowser system can only operate as a temporary arrangement and not as a substitute for a permanent water supply system.
It further noted that the KWSC acknowledged disparity between demand and supply, but also highlighted systemic issues such as leakages, illegal hydrants and inequitable distribution.
It said these findings reinforced the petitioners’ grievances and demonstrated that the water crisis was not merely a logistical issue but also a matter of governance and accountability.
“Therefore, the CBC is required to ensure water supply, transparent billing and transition to a sustainable piped system. The aforementioned exercise shall be completed within three months,” it added.
About jurisdiction of CBC over DHA Phases-VI, VII and VIII, the constitutional bench said that no valid federal government notification existed under Section 3 and 4 of the Cantonments Act, 1924 while the CBC was relying upon a statutory regulatory order as the basis of its jurisdiction.
The bench noted that a cantonment can only lawfully existed and operated within the limits declared through a federal government notification under the Act.
However, it said that in the absence of conclusive material negating the same, jurisdiction cannot be declared unlawful at this stage.
It said the CBC was bound to place complete gazette notifications on record and any ambiguity must restrict its authority particularly in respect of taxation. “In the absence of such lawful notification, it shall refrain from levying municipal taxes in those areas,” the order added.
According to the court order, “Consequently, these petitions are disposed of with direction to the CBC that they shall, in compliance with its earlier undertaking before this court, ensure the provision of a regular and equitable water supply to the residents of DHA within its jurisdiction.
“The KWSC shall take all necessary measures to enhance bulk water supply to the CBC and to eliminate illegal hydrants and leakages along the transmission lines, particularly the pipeline from Korangi Crossing to DHA,” it added.
The bench directed the CBC that until a sustainable piped water supply system was established within three months, it must continue water supply through bowsers to residents strictly on a “no-profit no-loss basis”, ensuring transparency and non-discriminatory distribution.
Published in Dawn, April 15th, 2026
