WASA to cut connections amid impending defaults

Says ‘WhatsApp campaign’ deterring consumers from paying bills

RAWALPINDI:

The Water and Sanitation Agency (Wasa) said on Thursday that it was initiating a crackdown against defaulters, particularly in the Pirwadhai area following the discovery of voice messages that were part of a campaign to stop consumers from paying utility bills.

The messages, shared on WhatsApp and heard by The Express Tribune, urges commercial consumers in the busy commercial area not to pay the increased charges.

In August, Wasa surprised consumers by increasing water supply charges by up to 175 per cent for residential and 500 per cent for commercial consumers.

The agency said Rs300 million was pending in outstanding bills that had accumulated over the years, with one official adding that the number of defaults had increase in the months since the latest increase.

The official, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, did not provide any approximations in terms of the frequency or volume of the defaults.

WASA Managing Director Muhammad Tanveer told The Express Tribune that they would trace those responsible for disseminating such messages and their connections would be disconnected immediately if they were found to be defaulters.

The messages were shared with commercial operators in the Pirwadhai bus stand area and adjoining commercial hubs.

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“The agency’s teams will conduct their inspection under police protection and an FIR will be registered at the local police station against those who have an illegal connection or has restored one that was disconnected,” Tanveer said.

The MD also chaired a meeting attended by officers of the revenue, finance and engineering departments which discussed measures to expedite revenue recovery.

It included actions against commercial, residential and government consumers that have wracked up payables of Rs300 million.

These defaulters include government schools and offices, police stations, and even profitable businesses.

The engineering department was instructed to increase the capacity of the water supply network.

Published in The Express Tribune, December 1^st, 2023.