PMA Demands Action Against Companies Selling Unsafe Bottled Water

The Pakistan Medical Association (PMA) has raised alarm over the deteriorating quality of drinking water in the country, highlighting how unsafe water continues to fuel the spread of waterborne diseases. Dr. Abdul Ghafoor Shoro, Secretary General of the PMA, referenced a recent Pakistan Council of Research in Water Resources (PCRWR) report, which had identified 29 brands of bottled water as unsafe due to contamination by microorganisms or chemicals.

The PMA questioned the legal authorization of companies selling these contaminated products and the lack of accountability for those responsible. They demanded prompt legal action, imposing hefty fines and criminal charges against the companies and individuals distributing unsafe or unregistered drinking water. The association also urged the government to bolster public filtration plants and municipal water networks to ensure safe tap water reaches households.

Additionally, they called on regulatory bodies like the Pakistan Standards and Quality Control Authority (PSQCA) to perform regular, transparent inspections of water filtration plants and commercial water suppliers. The PMA urged the federal and provincial governments to prioritize investments in water purification and sanitation infrastructure, citing the need to safeguard citizens from preventable diseases and alleviate the strain on the healthcare system.