Paying to be robbed

This refers to the news report, ‘Gas consumers may have to pay for gas theft’ (August 11). It seems our country is a haven for thieves, smugglers, dacoits and crooks of all kinds. Because our “worthy” traders do not wish to pay income tax, honest citizens have to pay more to balance the country’s budget. Owing to rampant electricity theft, we are penalized with high tariffs. And now we hear that due to gas theft those consumers who do not steal gas will have to pay for the stolen gas.

Out of roughly Rs40 billion worth of gas theft, Kohat in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa accounts for theft to the tune of Rs8 billion. What about the remaining Rs32 billion gas theft? Obviously, this kind of theft must be taking place with the connivance of gas company employees. How many have been caught and punished so far? Why are the two gas companies not doing anything to reduce theft? How long will we poor mortals have to pay for this loot and plunder?


Shakir Lakhani
Karachi
Printed in The News, August 20, 2015

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