Karachi’s Latest Crisis: Gas Bills Unjustly Imposed Amid Supply Shortages

Karachi:After the electricity crisis, Karachi’s residents are now facing an unprecedented challenge with gas supply issues. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC), following in the footsteps of K-Electric, has allegedly initiated a scheme of extortion and illegal billing, leaving many citizens bewildered and distressed.

Surprisingly, numerous residents are being sent bills amounting to thousands of rupees, despite not receiving any gas supply. Not only are consumers being harassed with unjustified bills, but they are also being threatened with legal action in case of non-payment.

For instance, a resident of Akhtar Colony received a bill of **Rs. 206,000** despite the continuous gas shortage in the area. When the resident checked the duplicate bill via the SSGC website, the bill amount was recorded as **Rs. 102,000**, revealing a significant discrepancy that suggests the gas company’s billing system is unreliable and possibly fraudulent.

Similar complaints are emerging from several other areas including **Gulistan-e-Johar**, **Nazimabad**, **Liaquatabad**, **Korangi**, and **Orangi Town**, where citizens are being sent inflated bills with no meter readings. In some cases, the bills are based on estimated values and have no connection to the actual gas consumption.

Residents claim that when they approach SSGC offices to lodge complaints, they are met with rude behavior from employees, who instead of resolving the issue, blame the consumers. There are reports of customers being forced to pay additional amounts under the pretext of changing their gas meters, even when the meters are already disconnected.

SSGC’s history is also filled with numerous financial scandals. Audit reports and investigations by the National Accountability Bureau (NAB) have revealed that the company has wasted billions of rupees in fraudulent contracts, bogus connections, and non-transparent payments.

Experts suggest that SSGC is now adopting a similar model to K-Electric, where the supply is deliberately limited, and fake bills are issued to increase revenue. This practice, they argue, is a blatant exploitation of consumers and a clear violation of consumer rights, with no government body or regulatory authority stepping in to take action.

In response, citizens and social activists are calling on **Chief Justice of Pakistan**, **NAB**, **FIA**, and **Ombudsman** to immediately address these illegal activities. They demand an independent forensic audit of the SSGC billing system, relief for consumers who are being sent bills despite not receiving gas, and an end to the fear and coercion tactics used by the company.

Karachi’s residents are already burdened with power outages, water shortages, and soaring inflation. The additional issues of gas supply disruptions and unjust billing are now adding to the suffering of the people. If swift and decisive action is not taken, this crisis could escalate further, worsening the lives of millions of Karachiites.