SNGPL dismisses staffer for illegal gas meter installations

Rawalpindi:The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), Rawalpindi Region, has intensified its ongoing crackdown on internal corruption, terminating a staff member found guilty of serious misconduct.

Following numerous public complaints, SNGPL dismissed Muhammad Waqas, who was serving in the Operation Section, for his involvement in corrupt practices. The General Manager of SNGPL Rawalpindi Region, Masam Ibrar, issued a formal termination order stating that Muhammad Waqas had been relieved of his duties with immediate effect due to his engagement in illegal activities. The order further instructed that Waqas be blacklisted and banned from entering all regional and sub-regional offices in Rawalpindi.

According to the complaints received, Muhammad Waqas was illegally installing commercial gas meters, specifically for local tandoors (clay ovens), and was allegedly charging Rs. 360,000 per meter.

In response, a departmental inquiry committee was formed under the leadership of General Manager Masam Ibrar. The committee included Chief Engineer Sajjad Khan, Deputy Chief Engineers Zahid Ali, Sami Piracha, and Muhammad Asif, along with Sub-Engineer Noor Ali Shah from the Operation Section. After thorough investigation, the committee found Waqas guilty and recommended his immediate dismissal.

Speaking to The News, General Manager Masam Ibrar stated, “We have zero tolerance for corruption within our department. Alongside internal accountability, we are also aggressively pursuing gas theft cases across Rawalpindi.”

He said that dozens of FIRs have already been registered against gas thieves under Sections 462-C and 462-D of the Gas Ordinance. “Our teams have conducted successful raids in various parts of Rawalpindi where individuals were stealing gas through illegal connections from the main supply lines,” he added.

Ibrar emphasized that all operations are being carried out indiscriminately. “Despite attempts by violators to blackmail or pressure us, we remain committed to holding them accountable,” he said.

He further informed that a large number of gas theft cases have been referred to the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) for in-depth investigation. “During recent raids in suburban areas, we discovered hundreds of feet of illegal gas pipelines.