Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front calls for strict action against black sheep in Sui Northern Gas Pipelines who are defaming government over issue of gas pilferage

Lahore, September 02, 2013 (PPI-OT): Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front (PIAF) on Monday called for an immediate and strict action against the black sheep in the Sui Northern Gas Pipelines who are defaming the government over the issue of gas pilferage.

In a statement issued here, the PIAF Chairman Malik Tahir Javaid said that the corrupt elements in the SNGPL were tarnishing the image of the entire business community and painting an unrealistic and wrong picture that would cause undue damage to the economy in the aftermath of industrial closures and massive layoffs.

He said that some officials of the SNGPL, in a bid to hide their past misdeeds, were instituting cases against honest, reputed and well respected businessmen despite the fact that these functionaries knew well about the gas pilferers.

“It has already proved that gas or electricity theft is impossible without the connivance of the officials of the concerned department then at whose behest the entire business community is being labeled as wrong doers.”

The Private sector had already assured a complete support to the government in its drive against power and gas pilferage and always advocated exemplary punishment to the people committing this national crime but at the same time it wants of the punishment should only be awarded or his name be given to Press if is caught red-handed or in case of proven pilferage.

He said that the business community believes that the pilferers were not only depriving the exchequer of huge revenues but also hitting hard the honest manufacturers who are paying all the dues to the government.

“The manufacturing processes completed through power and gas pilferage definitely result in cheaper productions and promote an atmosphere on uncompetitive market practices. The ultimate sufferer is the honest businessman as his products become dearer even in the domestic market.”

The PIAF Chairman said that there should be a clear distinction between the gas pilferage and the little violation of agreement with the SNGPL because presently cases are being registered against those businessmen who have mistakenly could not fulfill one or two small clauses of their agreement with SNGPL.

Malik Tahir Javaid appealed to the Prime Minister Mian Muhammad Nawaz Sharif and Chief Minister Mian Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif to issue necessary directions to ensure that the honest businessmen do not fall prey to the victimization of the corrupt elements in the SNGPL and exemplary punishment is awarded to the real culprits.

For more information, Contact:
Khalil-ur-Rehman
Pakistan Industrial and Traders Associations Front
110/s Kot Lakhpat Industrial Estate
Lahore, Pakistan
Phone: (92) 42 5123522
Fax: (92) 42 5123522
Email: Info@piaf.pk