ISLAMABAD: President Mamnoon Hussain promulgated on Thursday the Gas Theft Control and Recovery Ordinance 2014, which enunciated the legal measures to be taken against those stealing natural gas.

Under the ordinance, any person tampering with gas supply lines will be liable to a punishment of between five and 10 years of imprisonment, and a fine of up to Rs3 million. However, those tampering with the main lines or installations may be awarded imprisonment of between seven and 14 years, and a fine of up to Rs10m.

Those tampering with domestic meters can be awarded a punishment of up to six months or a fine which may extend to Rs100,000, or both.

Industrial or commercial consumers found guilty of tampering with meters may be sent to jail for a maximum of 10 years or a minimum of five years, or awarded a fine of up to Rs5m or both.

For those damaging or destroying transmission/ transportation lines, the ordinance allows maximum punishment of 14 years, but not be less than seven years and a minimum fine of Rs1m.

The penalty for maliciously wasting gas through injury to a pipeline or works is seven-year imprisonment or a maximum fine of Rs5 million or both.

The ordinance empowers gas companies to suspend supplies for one year to anyone convicted by the Gas Utility Court. The ordinance allows the SNGPL and the SSGC officers (grade 17 and above) to conduct search at any consumer’s premises.

The ordinance contains legal support to SSGC and SNGPL for recovery of stolen gas.

The ordinance empowers high courts to establish gas utility courts at district level in their jurisdictions, and appoint any of the serving district and sessions judges in that district for these courts.