Mian Rashid Asghar
FAISALABAD: Oil and Gas Regulatory Authority (OGRA) has received a total 80 thousand complaints, out of which relief was given to the 90% complainants, said Mr. Imran Ghaznavi Senior Executive Director C&MA.
Addressing a public hearing on gas complaints in Faisalabad Chamber of Commerce & Industry (FCCI), he said that in 2021 the consumers division of OGRA had disposed of 7282 complaints including 1341 regarding new connections. “Similarly, relief of Rs. 181 million was passed on to the consumers as a result of their complaints”, he said and added that being a regulatory body, OGRA is organizing public hearings to give tangible relief to its consumers. He said that the first meeting in this regard was held in Peshawar while the second is now being held in FCCI. He said that OGRA has a comprehensive quasi-judicial system under which complaints could be lodged at different stages. He said that a report is sought on each and every complaint from the concerned gas distribution companies and matters are decided in a fair and free manner. “Appeals and review petitions against its decisions could also be filed’, he said and appreciated the positive and productive role of the FCCI in facilitating its members. He said that FCCI must invite concerned officials from the regulatory bodies in its meetings so that they could understand the core issues and resolve the same within the legal framework.
Earlier welcoming the guests from OGRA, Mr. Atif Munir Sheikh President FCCI said that Faisalabad is the third major industrial, commercial and business city of Pakistan which was contributing 45% share in total textile export of Pakistan in addition to catering to the 80% domestic needs of cloth and clothing. He further said that there are 83 other trades and sectors which are also contributing their role in the overall growth of this city and exports. He said that the share of Faisalabad in the overall national economy is estimated around 22-24%. He further said that Faisalabad also stands second in revenue generation while global organizations have predicted that it would be included amongst the fastest growing cities of South Asia within the next three to five years. He said that around 300 industrial units have been established in M3 and Allama Iqbal Industrial Estates while investors from EU are also contemplating to launch joint ventures with their local counterparts. He mentioned the recent visit of Prime Minister Imran Khan to China and said that as a result of this successful tour, Chinese firms have also shown their interest in establishing hi-tech industrial units in Faisalabad. He said that we would require 1000 acres of land to accommodate the Chinese investors in addition to ensuring uninterrupted gas and electricity supply in these estates. About the shortage of gas, he lamented that we have consumed gas which was considered sufficient for fifty years but we have depleted its resources within 15 years and now we are waiting for LNG containers from Qatar. He also highlighted the role of FCCI in bridging the gap between Government and business community and said that he had identified 9 public sector entities where FCCI was not represented. “Among these also include SNGPL and FESCO”, he said and added that just a few minutes ago, he had received a phone call from the office of Federal Minister Mr. Hamad Azhar to nominate two members for their inclusion in FESCO BOD. He pointed out that most of the real estate developers had abandoned residential colonies without providing mandatory facilities of electricity and gas. He said that FESCO has come up with a plan to provide relief to the residents of such colonies. “They have been asked to form societies and arrange funds for the provision of infrastructure”, he said and opined that SNGPL should also extend similar facilities to the residents as they were victims of the over-shrewd developers. The President also explained the scheduled “Pakistan Economic Conference” and said that Advisor on Commerce &Investment Mr. Abdul Razak Dawood will attend the opening session of this 3-days mega event as chief guest while Prime Minister Imran Khan will grace its closing session. He further said that 60 Presidents of different Chambers of Commerce and Industries, 15 Ambassadors and 7 Ministers would also participate in it. He also appreciated the close liaison between SNGPL and FCCI and said that the General Manager SNGPL always remained in touch with this elected trade body for the resolution of their genuine problem.
Mr. Shahzad Iqbal Senior Executive Director CAD, Ms. Misbah Yaqoob Senior Executive Director Gas and Dr. Abdul Basit Qureshi Registrar OGARA also heard the public complaints and assured to resolve the same at the earliest. Later President Atif Munir Sheikh presented FCCI shield to Mr. Imran Ghaznavi Senior Executive Director C&MA.
The meeting was also attended by Engineer Ihtasham Javed Central President All Pakistan Textile Processing Mills Association (APTPMA) in addition to the large number of grieved gas consumers.
