LAHORE, Oct 5: Punjab Chief Minister Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif Saturday said that electricity and gas theft is impossible without the connivance of officers and officials of concerned departments. He was presiding over a meeting of Taskforce on Eradication of Electricity and Gas Theft here which reviewed the ongoing campaign against the electricity and gas thieves in the province in detail.
He said that the ongoing campaign against gas and electricity thieves in the province could not succeed without exposing black sheep of these departments and taking them to task.
While directing to take immediate action against the officers and officials involved in electricity and gas theft, the Chief Minister said that in case of any negligence in this regard, the heads of concerned departments would be held accountable.
He directed to submit the report about the action taken against the officials involved in electricity and gas theft within seven days.
Addressing the meeting, Muhammad Shahbaz Sharif said that the corruption and plunder of national resources has become history of the past.
He said that government has promoted corruption free culture and no effort will be spared for rooting out this menace.
He said that eradication of electricity and gas theft is not possible without bringing the plunderers of national resources to justice.
He said that the common man has to pay heavy bills due to electricity and gas theft.
The Chief Minister said that although electricity and gas theft of crores of rupees has been detected as a result of this campaign so far, yet strict measures are essential for getting best results.
He directed IG Police to ensure action against the officers and officials involved in electricity and gas theft as per law on the identification of concerned departments.
Chairman Taskforce on Eradication of Electricity and Gas Theft Irfan Elahi gave a detailed briefing about the ongoing campaign and told that 653 cases have been registered against electricity and gas thieves and 515 accused arrested which included a large number of factory owners whereas action has been taken against only 16 officials of the government departments.
Provincial Agriculture Minister Dr. Farrukh Javed, Irrigation Minister Yawar Zaman, Inspector General Police, Secretary Law, Secretary Information, Managing Director Sui Northern Gas, Commissioners, RPOs, DCOs and Chief Executive Officers of distribution companies attended the meeting.
