Gas Theft: LHC rejects factory owner’s plea

Lahore High Court dismissed a petition by a man accused of gas theft worth Rs220 million.

LAHORE: Justice Sheikh Najamul Hassan of the Lahore High Court on Thursday dismissed a petition by a man accused of gas theft worth Rs220 million that his factory be allowed to reopen.  Petitioner Malik Anwar of Faisalabad submitted that the gas authorities had sent him inflated bills and then sealed his factory on the charge of gas theft. He said that he was willing to pay Rs40 million at once, and the court should order that his factory be de-sealed. The judge rejected his plea. He said that the nation was suffering through a gas and electricity shortage because of “elements like the petitioner” and he did not deserve any concession. He said that the court would only consider ordering that his factory be allowed to reopen once he paid his bills in full.

Published in The Express Tribune, July 26^th, 2013.