ISLAMABAD, Jan. 25 (Xinhua) -- The Supreme Court of Pakistan on Thursday has banned nation-wide sales and distribution of 24 mineral water companies after they failed to meet quality standards, local media reported.

A three-member bench, headed by Chief Justice of Pakistan Mian Saqib Nisar, began the hearing of the "provision of clean water case" on Thursday afternoon and observed that until the companies can satisfy the court regarding their safety standards, they will not be allowed to operate.

"The companies are big but the water is not clean. They will not be allowed to sell water till the satisfaction of court," said the apex court, adding that the companies should have the consciousness to provide clean water to the public.

According to Pakistani authorities, more than two-thirds of people in the country drink contaminated water and between 30 and 40 percent of diseases and deaths countrywide are linked to poor water quality.

Diseases like typhoid, cholera, dysentery and hepatitis are not uncommon in the country due to substandard and unsafe water consumption.