Recovery measures: Gas theft control ordinance promulgated

The ordinance provides for prosecution of cases of gas theft and other related offences.

ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated the Gas Theft Control and Recovery Ordinance 2014 on Friday, mentioning legal measures to overcome issues relating to gas stealing. The ordinance titled “The Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Ordinance” provides for prosecution of cases of gas theft and other related offences, and also provides a procedure for recovery of unpaid dues. Under the ordinance, any domestic consumer who tampers or abets in tampering of any gas metre, regulator, meter index, gas connection or any other related system and equipment, whether to commit theft or for the purpose of unauthorised distribution, shall be punished with imprisonment for a term which may be extended to six months, or with fine up to Rs0.1 million or both. Likewise, any industrial or commercial consumer, who is found guilty of the same, shall be punished with imprisonment of 5-10 years or with fine up to Rs5 million, or both.

Published in The Express Tribune, January 25^th, 2014.