Nestle directed to submit audit report within 15 days

SC directs authorities to check samples from all major mineral water companies

ISLAMABAD: Chief Justice of Pakistan (CJP) Mian Saqib Nisar on Sunday directed authorities to conduct a forensic audit of Nestle’s mineral water brand.

In addition, the CJP ordered authorities to collect and check samples from all large mineral water companies.

The directives were made during the hearing of a suo motu case regarding alleged water resource exploitation by mineral water companies in Pakistan.

The issue of extraction of water by mineral water companies was raised on Friday during the hearing of the Katas Raj case.

The case involves the extraction of water by cement factories in the proximity of the Katas Raj pond.

The CJP observed how bottled water companies were extracting groundwater free of cost and selling them to the public at high prices, adding that the country’s apex court will ensure water preservation.

On Friday, the Supreme Court’s (SC) Lahore Registry had directed officials to submit data on water extraction by the companies.

On Saturday, heads of all major mineral water companies were directed to appear before the SC on Sunday.

The CJP rejected a plea by Nestle’s legal counsel Aitzaz Ahsan seeking one month’s time to submit the report.

“Give us one month to present our own report on this, then after that you may get a forensic audit done,” said Ahsan.

However, the CJP directed submission of audit within 15 days.

“It will be decided after the forensic audit that how much the companies should pay to the government for water,” remarked the CJP.

“The mineral water companies have been earning for the past 20 years [without paying for it],” added Justice Ijazul Ahsan.

“A sense of accountability has started to prevail among people. After this case, the companies will pay a suitable fee [for the water they use] and will sell [the mineral water] at a suitable price,” the CJP remarked further.

“The matter of water is an issue which cannot be neglected. Next, in turn, are big societies which obtain water from tubewells and charge residents for the water. These societies do not pay to the government.”

“We will take notice against big societies next week,” CJP Nisar observed.

The federal government on Saturday had submitted an initial report regarding mineral water companies in Pakistan.