Lahore, Punjab: WASA Lahore FIR notices are being attached to consumer utility bills, including residents who missed only one month’s payment.
Consumers criticised the recovery move and said they were receiving threatening messages over a single unpaid bill. However, the Water and Sanitation Agency Lahore has not explained the billing notice policy.
The billing action follows another WASA Lahore warning on open manholes. The agency said attempt-to-murder cases would be registered against people found stealing, buying or selling manhole covers.
In a social media statement, WASA urged Lahore residents to report missing or damaged manhole covers to the nearest WASA office. Alternatively, residents can use official complaint channels.
Read: Punjab Govt Introduces Sanitation Charges and Increase Water Tariffs
The agency said anyone involved in the theft or trade of manhole covers would face First Information Reports under Section 324. This section relates to attempt to murder.
WASA Lahore also shared helpline numbers for water and sewerage complaints. Residents were advised to contact 1334 or 0334-1334470 to lodge complaints.
The warning came after a woman and her nine-month-old daughter died after falling into an open manhole in Lahore’s Bhati Gate area. Subsequently, several government officials were later arrested on negligence charges at the directives of Punjab Chief Minister Maryam Nawaz Sharif.
