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The Dire Need of Public Toilets in Karachi and beyond --- Directives for government bodies to prioritize the construction, maintenance, and accessibility of public toilets

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The Dire Need of Public Toilets in Karachi and beyond --- Directives for government bodies to prioritize the construction, maintenance, and accessibility of public toilets --- Sindh High Court

Islamabad 18-05-2024: While rendering judgment in Constitutional Petition [C.P. No.D-1606 of 2009] the Division Bench of Honourable Sindh High Court, Karachi comprising of Mr. Justice Salahuddin Panhwar and Mr. Justice Mohammad Abdur Rahman issued directions to the Government Bodies to prioritize the construction, maintenance, and accessibility of public toilets in Karachi. The brief facts of the case are as the petition was filed by a registered Trust (Raah-e-Raast Trust) to draw the attention to the pressing issue of inadequate public toilets in Karachi. The trust was represented by its Chairman, the Trust underscored the urgent requirement for public lavatories, particularly for women, citing the worsening environmental conditions and increased difficulties faced due to negligence from the respondents.

The petition pointed out the insufficient provision of public lavatories at crucial locations such as bus stops, markets, hospitals, and schools. While some lavatories were constructed in response to previous requests, they were often accompanied by unauthorized shops, diminishing the effectiveness of the facilities. Furthermore, existing lavatories in hospitals and educational institutions were found to be either non-functional or poorly maintained.

The petition highlighted global sanitation crisis, the petition emphasized the critical role of proper sanitation in safeguarding public health and environmental protection. Seeking relief, the petitioner demanded the declaration of public toilets and toilet users' rights as essential fundamental human rights. They further called for the construction and maintenance of functional public toilets at various public places within a specified timeframe. Additionally, the petition urged the respondents to identify suitable locations for public toilets and engage philanthropists and commercial entities in their construction and management. Immediate action was also requested to ensure functional public toilets in provincial department buildings, accompanied by awareness campaigns for toilet users' rights and improved sanitation conditions. The petitioner's statement further highlighted key points regarding the lack of public lavatory facilities in Karachi, including graveyards, chawks/bus stops, shopping centers/markets, hospitals/clinics, and various other locations. Reference was made to historical precedents such as Mohenjo-Daro's advanced sewerage system, underscoring the significance of sanitation investments as emphasized by the World Health Organization.

The judgment discussed the legal provisions and policies regarding public toilets in Sindh along with constitutional and international obligations of Pakistan regarding sanitation and human rights. The judgment concluded with directives for government bodies to prioritize the construction, maintenance, and accessibility of public toilets, particularly for women and vulnerable groups, alongside the establishment of oversight committees and awareness campaigns to ensure compliance and effective implementation. In light of these considerations, the petition stands disposed of, outlining a comprehensive framework to address the critical need for public toilets in Karachi and beyond.