Gas bills

Yesterday, a sanitary worker in my area approached me and showed his gas bill. The amount was Rs40,000. He asked me whether he should pay the bill and let his family starve or hang himself. I leave it to the authorities to answer.

Lt Col (r) Babar

Islamabad

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The petroleum minister has recently been reported to have said that the national exchequer is bearing a loss of Rs54 billion due to gas pilferage and high cost of imported gas. To fight against the financial losses occurred because of loss due to condensation, gas theft and faulty meters, the government has significantly increased the amount of gas supplied to domestic users.

Except for gas condensation in the pipes, all other factors should be rectified by the gas companies and consumers should not be burdened to pay for these losses. While the prime minister has called for an inquiry to find out the reasons for inflated bills, the committee concerned should consider the abovementioned factors as well and try to come up with a workable solution.

Lt Col (r) Arshad Nasim Qureshi

Islamabad