Ejaz Ahmad
For the past several weeks, Booni has been grappling with an acute shortage of drinking water. Political and social leaders have given the district administration a one-week deadline, warning that if the crisis is not resolved by July 12, they will stage a strong protest.
Today, Friday, a group of youth from Booni held a press conference at the Booni Press Club and pledged their participation in the announced protest. They urged the district administration to take the situation seriously and ensure immediate water supply.
Led by the Nazim of Village Council Booni-2 Anwar Wali Khan, along with Shakeel Ahmed Lal and Salsabeel Ahmed, the youth criticized the administration’s negligence, pointing out that Booni might be the only district headquarters where the people are supplying water to the state while the Public Health Department remains indifferent. They claimed that due to departmental apathy, not even animals and birds have access to clean drinking water anymore, holding the Public Health Department fully responsible.
They further alleged that government machinery is being used to deliver water to officials’ homes while the general population suffers.
Shakeel Lal said since the department’s establishment in Booni in 1977, its performance has been negligible. He emphasized that the people of Booni have always arranged for drinking water through self-help and private sector support, while government institutions have consistently shirked responsibility.
Anwar Wali Khan warned that if the public\’s patience runs out, community water lines currently accessed by the government could be cut, since they were created through the people\’s own efforts and are being misused by officials. He criticized the administration’s repeated excuses – be it harsh winters or floods – and stated that public health infrastructure is poorly planned, with no filtration system in place. Even under public pressure, the department provides only a single tank, which results in the distribution of murky water and a rise in health issues.
They regretfully noted that Booni has now become a hotspot for kidney diseases. Three individuals are on dialysis, and many more are suffering at home or in hospitals. Department staff are often absent, and the administration is accused of manipulating local representatives through various delaying tactics.
The speakers also criticized Booni’s senior leadership for failing to support the youth, alleging that private meetings with the administration prevent the escalation of public grievances to the authorities. They resolved that such obstruction would no longer be tolerated, and that the youth of Booni would lead efforts to resolve public issues themselves.