The recent scandal in Pakistan Railways, as reported in the media, where fake electricity bills worth more than one hundred million rupees were approved without checks is a sign of how weak our system has become. If such fraud can go unnoticed in a national institution, then ordinary citizens stand no chance. We are already prone to receiving bills with sudden increases, wrong readings and extra charges.
Many people keep paying because they fear their power supply will be disconnected.
This scandal shows that if those in power and authority can cheat a whole department, then they can easily cheat common people too. There must be a thorough investigation followed by exemplary punishments. Public confidence can only be restored when officials learn that corruption will cost them their jobs and their freedom. Until then the people will continue to suffer.
Imran Saeed
Okara
