Electrifying Honesty: Afghan refugee pays 15-year-old electricity dues

Haji Mohammad enjoyed the facility of electricity for almost five years during which he never paid his monthly bills.

QUETTA:

A former Afghan refugee has returned to Pakistan after residing in his home country for 15 years, only to pay back his dues to Quetta Electric Supply Company (Qesco).

Haji Mohammad used to reside in Killi Khezi area on the outskirts of Quetta, and enjoyed the facility of electricity for almost five years during which he never paid his monthly bills. Ever since his return to Afghanistan he felt a strong sense of sin and was tormented with the burden of having illegally used electricity in a country which offered him refuge.

After returning to Afghani-stan, Haji Mohammad narrated his dilemma to religious scholars in Afghanistan. “The clerics found me guilty and directed me to pay my dues. I have just returned a few days ago and contacted Chief Engineer Operations, Qesco and expressed willingness to pay my dues. I deposited Rs100,000 to satisfy my soul but Qesco officials have calculated my dues and informed me that I had to pay only Rs40,000.”

Chief Engineer Mohammad Aftab confirmed that Haji Mohammad had deposited his dues and termed this case the most unique throughout his career and presented a traditional turban to Haji Mohammad for his honesty.

“If every citizen adopted Haji Mohammad’s thinking Pakistan would become a prosperous country,” he added.

Published in The Express Tribune, April 16^th,  2011.