January 1, 2003	Wednesday	Shawwal 27, 1423

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RAWALPINDI, Dec 31: The high tension electricity meters of Holy Family Hospital (HFH) have gone missing soon after its installation, sources said here on Tuesday.

The sources said the theft of the electricity meters installed in front of the casualty ward was yet to be reported to the police, as the departments concerned were squabbling over the issue.

The hospital administration on learning about the incident constituted a committee to investigate the case. The committee has reportedly held Islamabad Electricity Supply Company (Iesco) responsible.

The committee in its report said the meters could not be removed until power supply from the feeder was suspended. Moreover, the keys of the room were with the Iesco men, the committee added.

Medical Superintendent Dr Aqeela Ashraf, when contacted, first denied occurrence of the incident. Later, she said the meters had gone missing. She said it’s known to even an ordinary person that high voltage meters could not be touched, what to speak of removal by a layman. “Technical know-how and gadgets are required to handle such devices,” she added.

She said the hospital had reported the matter to the higher authorities.

“It is their responsibility to decide the future course of action,” she said.

Sub-divisional Officer Iesco F-Block Mr Saleem rebutted the allegation of the hospital administration saying the meters were installed on their premises, therefore the hospital itself was responsible.

He said his office received a complaint about a fault, and when the staff reached the panel room, where the meters were installed, was found locked and the security guard was not present there. “Later, they broke open the door in the presence of the hospital staff and when they entered the room, the meters were not there,” he said.

He rejected the hospital administration’s version that the power supply needed to be shut down prior to removing the meters. “The meters can be removed with the supply continuing,” he added. Mr Salim said the only solution with the hospital was to buy new meters from Iesco.

The hospital sources suspected involvement of the PWD staff in the incident. However, Mr Ranjha, SDO PWD, also denied the charge. “We are neither the custodian of the building nor do we have any other relation with it,” the SDO said. He too held the hospital administration responsible.