LAHORE – A person involved in gas theft had been given life imprisonment and heavy fine, stated the SNGPL on Friday.This was the first trial of a person under recently framed gas theft laws and the company spokesman said that the sentence was given by the court which only could have been possible by the best vigilance, good team work and determination of the SNGPL officials to eliminate the evil of gas theft. “The sentence will highly discourage the gas theft in the country,” added the spokesman. As per the statement, a raid was conducted by Dy. Chief Engineer (Operations) Islamabad on 23rd September, 2011 wherein, Bashir Mashi Resident of Islamabad was caught red handed, illegally supplying of gas to more than 290 houses of a Katchi Abadi in Sector 7/4, Islamabad through pilferage of gas from system. Bashir Masih was receiving Rs700 from each house. The SNGPL has calculated total volume loss 2000 HM3 on account of gas theft amounting to Rs1.20 Million. A case under section 379,109 of Pakistan Penal Code (PPC) was registered against him with Police Station Kohsar, Islamabad. His bail applications were also dismissed by the Session and High Courts, Islamabad, respectively. The case was heard by Anti Terrorist Court, Islamabad under FIR number 477.