SNGPL imposes ‘silent ban’ on domestic connections

The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) has imposed a ‘silent’ ban on domestic connections and has not issued any demand notices for the last two days, sources told Pakistan Today on Thursday. The ban has not been made public to save the company from ‘possible’ public reaction. “The government could face public pressure if the ban is announced. There was huge pressure on the company due to winter, therefore, it was decided that no connection be allowed in coming weeks,” an official of the company said while telling the reason of the ban. The production of gas decreased around 10 percent this year as compared to previous year. “Last year, availability of gas for the SNGPL was more than 2,100 mmcf but this year it dropped to 1,850mmcf,” sources said. SNGPL Lahore General Manager Abdul Haseeb denied that there was any ban on domestic connections.
2 undue promotions by SNGPL: The Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) giving undue favour to two of its senior officials, has promoted them causing a loss of at least Rs 7 million to the company, sources told Pakistan Today on Thursday. The sources said that one of the senior officials was about to retire next month but he has been promoted and now he would get at least Rs 5 million more in gratuity and a brand new 1300CC car as well. Muhammad Latif was working as the deputy chief distribution engineer. Multan Road and was to retire on December 14 but the SNGPL managing director promoted him as the chief distribution officer of the Multan Road office. The promotion was out of turn and merely a favour to the outgoing engineer, the sources said, adding that if he retired on previous position then he would get around Rs 5 million and other benefits but now the perks would be twice as much. Muhammad Latif was not available for comments.
Similarly, Unaccounted for Gas (UFG) Department chief Muhammad Islam was also promoted as regional manager. The sources said that both of the promotions were out of turn and caused around Rs seven million losses to the company. The SNGPL is already running in losses and such out of turn promotions are dangerous for the company. “It is high time for the company to overcome its losses otherwise things would get out of control,” said the sources adding that though SNGPL MD Arif Hameed had done many positive things and recovered bad debts but he should also look into such matters.