Syed Ali Shah:
QUETTA:
During the hearing of over billing case by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in the Balochistan High Court (BHC), the Federal Secretary Petroleum and Chairman Oil and Gas Development Corporation Limited (OGDCL) narrowly escaped arrest warrants. Justice Kamran Malakhail once ordered the issuance of arrest warrants for two key officers in the federal government.
However, counsels for the officers assured that all orders of the court would be implemented in letter and spirit. Subsequently, the court withdrew the issuance of arrest warrants for the Federal Secretary of Petroleum and Chairman OGRA.
BHC declares all extra charges SSGC bills null and void
BHC also declared all additional charges by the Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) in consumer bills null and void. Justice Kamran Malakhail of the BHC directed the SSGC not to include additional charges in the consumers’ bills. This order has come after the SSGC included standard charges, extra charges and other charges in the recently issued gas bills to domestic and commercial consumers across Balochistan.
SSGC issues excessive bills to consumers in Balochistan
The court heard the case about excessive SSGC bills to consumers in Quetta and other parts of Balochistan. Senior lawyer, Syed Nazeer Agha Advocate had submitted a petition challenging extra charges in the gas bills by the company.
Briefing the media men outside the court, Syed Nazeer Agha urged the consumers not to pay extra charges for the month of April and May to the SSGC. He said the court has also directed the establishment of a special desk to address the grievances of consumers who have received heavy bills from the company.
A consumer’s bill from Karachi was also produced before the court. The bill was only Rs.200. The court questioned the company that why Balochistan’s consumers were being issued excessive bills.
The hearing of the case was adjourned till June 19th. The court directed the high-ups of the SSGC and OGRA to appear before the court and explain their positions about the excessive billings.
