ISLAMABAD – Prime Minister Imran Khan Tuesday said it was not acceptablethat the masses should be punished for theft and mismanagement in gas andelectricity departments.Chairing a meeting of the Cabinet Committee for Energy, the prime ministerdirected the departments concerned to further expedite the drive againstelectricity theft, He, however, warned that those paying the utility billsshould be burdened for the theft and mismanagement of others.He also directed for improving coordination among the relevant departmentsfor permanent solution to bridge the gap between demand and supply of thegas, besides its estimation.He directed the Chairman of Task Force for Energy to make a permanentmechanism, in consultation with ministers for Petroleum and Energyregarding solution of the problems arisen due to gap in demand and supplyafter analyzing its facts and figures.The prime minister was given a detailed briefing regarding the steps takento resolve the of complaints regarding demand and supply of gas in thecountry. He directed to ensure that the shortage of gas should be overcomein the coming week.The Managing Director of Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Ltd informed themeeting about the measures taken against the illegal use of gascompressors. Some 5,000 gas connections had been disconnected on theoffence of illegal use of gas compressors, he added.The meeting was also briefed regarding the steps taken for stoppage ofelectricity theft and successes achieved so far in this connection. It wastold that 16,000 cases had been registered in drive against electricitytheft.The meeting was apprised that the drive against electricity theft hadachieved desirable results which was not only reducing the level of theft but visible improvement had also been witnessed in provision ofelectricity in respective areas.The meeting was also informed about losses and theft in the gas sector. Itwas told that 12 to 13 percent gas was being stolen from the system andannual losses in the gas sector were around Rs 50 billion.The inquiry report about the gas crisis in the country during last days wasalso presented to the prime minister in which responsibility had been fixed.The meeting was informed that a new Policy 2019 about Renewable Energy wasbeing introduced with the aim to full use of the country’s resources andsolution to the problems in the sector.
Rs 50 billion loss in gas sector, PM Imran Khan takes important decisions
