Court fines SSGC for negligence after water leaks into gas pipeline

• SSGC has been fined with Rs100,000 after some Karachi citizens complained that they were receiving water in gas pipeline
• Petitioner told consumer protection court that area residents had been facing the problem since 2018
• Court said if SSGC does not pay the fine, the amount would be doubled

KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has been fined for negligence after water leaked into a gas pipeline in New Karachi, Geo Urdu reported on Thursday.

Per the report, area residents filed a petition against the gas company at a consumer protection court after they noticed water coming out of a gas pipeline. As a result, the court slapped the SSGC with a fine of Rs100,000.

The petitioner, Umar Hussain, told the court that the area had been receiving water in a gas pipeline since 2018, adding that the SSGC management had been completely negligent towards the issue despite complaints. 

He said that due to the suspension of gas in the area, many residents were compelled to purchase gas cylinders which not only put an additional financial burden on families but it also exposed them to risks.

He added that he, along with other residents of New Karachi, had to suffer from "mental stress and anxiety" due to the "incompetence and callousness of the SSGC management," adding that a "fine should be imposed on the gas company."

Read more: Gas supply to be suspended in 7 Karachi areas on Sunday: SSGC

After hearing the petition, Judicial Magistrate Javed Ali Korejo said that since many citizens are facing the issue, the SSGC must pay the fine, adding that if the company does not comply with the court's decision, then the fine will be doubled to Rs200,000.

The court also ordered the SSGC to send a copy of the decision to the Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA). 

It may be recalled that such incidents have also been witnessed in different parts of Karachi.

Read more: Gas crisis hits Pakistan as govt halts supply to power, export sector