Crackdown against gas pilferers continues

SNGPL disconnects 163 connections, imposes fines worth Rs4.2 million

LAHORE:

In a continued effort to combat gas theft, Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) conducted raids in Punjab, Khyber-Pakhtunkhwa (K-P), and Islamabad, resulting in the disconnection of 163 illegal connections and the imposition of fines totalling Rs4.2 million.

In Peshawar, the company disconnected 32 connections due to the direct use of gas and illegal connections, with a fine of Rs2 million imposed for gas theft. Additionally, the regional team filed three FIRs against gas thieves. In Rawalpindi, eight gas connections were disconnected, and a fine of Rs17,000 was imposed for gas theft. The SNGPL team in Mardan also disconnected eight gas connections due to the illegal use of gas.

In Sialkot, nine connections were disconnected due to the use of compressors, and three gas connections were disconnected in Sargodha due to illegal gas use. In Gujranwala, the regional team disconnected 14 connections for the illegal use of gas, imposing a fine of Rs745,500 on gas thieves.

In Gujrat, three connections were disconnected due to the illegal use of gas, with a fine of Rs65,000 imposed for gas theft. Thirteen connections were disconnected due to illegal gas use in Islamabad, with a fine of Rs217,073 imposed against gas pilferers. In Sahiwal, five connections were disconnected due to the illegal shifting of connections. Additionally, the region filed one FIR and imposed a fine of Rs117,000 for gas theft.

The regional team in Faisalabad disconnected ten connections for gas theft and another 12 for the use of compressors. A fine of Rs116,000 was also imposed against gas pilferers. In Lahore, the regional team disconnected six connections due to illegal gas use and one due to the use of compressors, imposing a fine of Rs760,109 for gas theft.

Crackdown on electricity theft intensifies

In an ongoing effort to combat electricity theft, K-Electric (KE) has taken rigorous action, registering 550 FIRs. These FIRs are against individuals involved in power theft, which is estimated to have accounted for a staggering 8.2 million units of electricity, equivalent to Rs418 million in losses.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 20^th, 2023.

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