ISLAMABAD: The Pakistan Economy Watch (PEW) President Dr. Murtaza Mughal on Wednesday said gas companies were punishing masses with the help of Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) by charging masses for the losses incurred during gas distribution and theft.
“OGRA has allowed gas companies to charge masses for 4.5 percent of their losses, but now the companies are trying to push up the ratio of losses to nine percent to generate more profit for their shareholders,” it said, and added, “OGRA has become a tool in the hands of some of the directors of the gas companies who are also influential stockbrokers.”
In a statement issued here PEW President Dr. Murtaza Mughal said that gas companies should reduce corruption and stop penalising masses for their mismanagement. He said that enhanced ration of losses, if allowed, would hike the price of gas resulting in a wave of inflation which would hit many critical sectors of the economy.
Mughal said that almost 400 million cubic feet gas was wasted daily in the country and the same amount was imported spending billions of dollars which was unjustified as it continued to widen the trade gap.
