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ISLAMABAD:
The sub-committee of the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) of the Petroleum Division met to review the audit paragraphs pertaining to Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) for the financial year 2022-23.
The panel, chaired by Naveed Qamar, examined audit objections relating to the Petroleum Division from 2011-12 to 2022-23, including the diversion of RLNG to the domestic sector during the summer months.
During the discussion, the Secretary of the Petroleum Division clarified that the diversion of RLNG did not cause any losses in the system, stating that “what is described as a loss, is actually not a loss.”
After the explanation, the agency decided to resolve the audit paragraph related to the diversion of RLNG. However, serious concerns were raised over SNGPL’s failure to install gas meters despite receiving full payments from consumers.
Audit officials informed the committee that although urgent demand notices and fees were collected, meters were not installed at thousands of places.
They also noted that before November 27, 2021, 71,892 applications had been submitted. In 3,028 cases, service lines were laid but meters were not installed, while 14,000 consumers who paid urgent rates were also left without a gas connection.
The audit further observed that despite directives to process urgent tariff cases, even during the ban on new connections, SNGPL failed to comply with them. This caused delays in the supply of gas connections and violated the service standards of the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (Ogra).
The audit officials accused SNGPL of “gross negligence in providing services”, noting that the company’s conduct constituted a breach of consumer trust.
Expressing strong disapproval, the committee convener said: “Those who trusted you and paid in advance are not to blame. This is pure obstinacy, taking money first and installing connections at your convenience. If government institutions start behaving like contractors, what will become of the system?”
The subcommittee ordered that the matter be referred back to the Departmental Accounts Committee for further review.
