BAHAWALPUR: The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline (SNGPL) on Wednesday removed 20 air-compressors installed illegally by consumers to increase gas pressure in the city.

SNGPL Regional Manager Belal Asghar told Dawn that the use of compressors to increase gas pressure was illegal as it deprives others of their share of gas supply.

He says acting on consumers’ complaints, the SNGPL task force traced such domestic connections where these devices were being used and took action action against them. He said FIRs were also registered against such consumers, if they failed to give an assurance that they would not indulge in this illegal practice in future.

He said the SNGPL task force would continue crackdown on illegal compressors so that the law-abiding consumers may not face any difficulty in getting gas supply.

He said if the violators continued this illegal practice, their gas meters would also be removed and won’t be installed again without fine and action under the rules. In that case, he said, the violators would have to apply afresh for installation of their gas meters, and completion of the process could take months.

Regarding the improvement of gas supply following complaints by the consumers in different localities, he claimed that the process to change 103km-long old underground pipelines was in progress, after which the situation was expected to improve.

He said there was a ban on new gas connections and as soon as it was lifted by the government, the process would be resumed in the region.

ARRESTED: Dhanote police, Lodhran district, claimed to have arrested a man for uploading his pictures on social media with a pistol. Police PRO Imran Umar said the suspect, Naveed, was booked after his pictures with a weapon were uploaded on social media. After investigating the matter, Dhanote police arrested him, he added.

INJURED: A driver, identified as Muzaffar was injured when two trailers collided in Dunyapur.

According to Rescue 1122, after the collision, oil tank of one of the trailers busted and the oil spilled on the road. A Rescue 1122 team reaching the spot, cordoned off the scene of the collision to prevent any further accident.

NABBED: Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) claimed to have arrested six touts operating at the local passport office.

According to FIA officials, these touts were involved in extorting money from the applicants in connivance with passport.

Published in Dawn, December 8th, 2022