‘Freedom of power’: List of gas defaulters features armed forces

SNGPL links prevailing energy crisis to non-payment.

ISLAMABAD:

The army is among over 300 state institutions, private companies and individuals who have defaulted on millions of rupees due to be paid to the Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL).

It is among the 50 companies and individuals that owe the government more than Rs100 million each under gas bills, while as many as 313 private companies and government departments collectively owe over Rs82.1 billion, according to official documents submitted to the Parliament by Adviser to the Prime Minister on Gas and Natural Resources Dr Asim Hussain.

A nine-page report has been prepared by SNGPL in response to a query raised by Shireen Arshad Khan of the PML-N. She had earlier sought the names and addresses of the defaulting companies and individuals who owe more than Rs10 million to the gas company.

“We usually don’t take stern action against state institutions [military],” SNGPL Managing Director Arif Hameed told The Express Tribune.

“The company normally continues to issue notices to such defaulters and not suspend gas supply.”

According to the documents, Rahwali Cantonment Gujranwala owes SNGPL Rs105 million, ME Army Tansil Road, Lahore Cantt owes the government over Rs24.3 million, ME Army Tufail Road, Lahore Cantt owes Rs22.2 million, GE (Const) Shamsi Road, Lahore Cantt owes Rs21 million, Garrison Engineer Army, Bilal Colony Bahawalpur owes Rs19.4 million, AGE Army district Attock, Army Cantonment, 47 ARTY Brigade Sargodha Cantt owes Rs12.6 million, AGE Army 6/711 Y-K Company ‘Cook House’ Risalpur owes Rs12 million.

The Pakistan Air Force (PAF) is also a defaulter of around Rs21 million.

“If the dues are recovered, the SNGPL will be able to curtail the fuel crisis in the country,” said a senior SNGPL official requesting anonymity.

“The debt paints a true picture of how national gas providers are facing losses worth billions annually,” she added.

Another official of the company said “the company usually suspends gas supply to defaulters as per its rules, but unfortunately the companies and individuals in question go to courts seeking stay orders.”

An official of the Inter-Services Public Relations (ISPR) said it was difficult to comment on the issue immediately, but stressed the matter would be addressed soon.

Meanwhile, a Sui Southern Gas Pipelines Limited (SSGPL) spokesperson said the company had sent fresh notices to the Karachi Electric Supply Company (KESC) which owes an exorbitant sum of Rs41.80 billion. “We have also sent notices to Pakistan Steel Mills, which owes over Rs8.1 billion,” he said.

Many textile and paper mills are also among the prominent defaulters.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 12^th, 2012.