Alarming revelations have surfaced regarding the safety of drinking water, even within the hallowed halls of parliament.

Recent reports indicate that the drinking water supplied to Parliament House and lodges has been deemed harmful to health, raising concerns among lawmakers and staff alike.

The Pakistan Council for Research on Water Resources (PCRW) has brought this critical issue to light, sending a letter to the National Assembly Secretariat to address the matter urgently.

According to the quarterly water testing report conducted by the PCRW, the water samples collected from Parliament House and lodges have been found to be contaminated, posing a serious risk to health.

Highlighted in the report are the findings that all water samples taken from six locations of the Parliament House, including those from the deputy speaker's room, have been tainted. The contamination extends to various sources, including water coolers, overhead tanks, and taps within the premises.

Moreover, the situation appears equally dire at Parliament Lodges, with water samples from three blocks of tanks deemed unfit for use. However, there is a silver lining, as water sourced from the main filtration plant at Parliament Lodges has been deemed safe for consumption, as per the report.

Responsibility for ensuring the supply of clean water to Parliament House and lodges falls squarely on the Capital Development Authority (CDA). However, the recent findings underscore a failure in this responsibility, raising questions about the adequacy of existing water filtration and management systems.

The revelation of unsafe drinking water within the heart of the legislative apparatus has sparked outrage and calls for immediate action to rectify the situation. Lawmakers, staff, and the public demand swift measures to address the contamination issue and ensure the provision of safe and clean drinking water to all occupants of Parliament House and lodges.