Connecting the dots: Raja Riaz running low on gas

Former senior minister’s board factory gas supply cut off by SNGPL.

FAISALABAD:

The gas supply connection of a board factory owned by the Opposition Leader in Punjab Assembly and former senior minister Raja Riaz Ahmad, was disconnected due to non payment of outstanding bills worth Rs10.4 million.

According to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) distribution officer Muhammad Arshad, Ahmad’s factory owed over Rs10.4 million in bills and he had been issued repeated warnings. SNGPL officials said that factory officials tried to access an illegal connection 20 days ago.

The SNGPL team conducted a raid and detached the illegal gas connection but the main gas supply line of the factory was also sealed in addition to removing the gas supply meter from the site, an SNGPL officer said. The official said that a fine of Rs200,000 had already been imposed on the factory due to tampering with the gas supply meter.The manager of the Raja Riaz board factory said that they had deposited Rs3.4 million as a first instalment against the outstanding amount and claimed that the connection had been restored. Raja Riaz refused to comment on the issue. The managing director of SNGPL said that he would not reinstall the connection without getting full payment but later agreed to do so after receiving a Rs 3.4 million installment. The official who delivered the closure notice has been suspended.

Published in The Express Tribune, November 2^nd, 2011.