Mechanism stressed to address over billing of utility services.

PESHAWAR -- Former Ambassador of Pakistan, Manzoorul Haq, has underscored the need for adoption of a mechanism to address different problems pertaining to utility services.

'In advanced countries like UK, problems of over billing of civic services including gas, electricity and water is addressed on war footing basis owing to a comprehensive mechanism put in place, which is time and cost efficient,' Manzoorul Haq who served as Pakistan's Ambassador in Egypt and Saudi Arabia told reporter.

'When I was posted in London, once the water bill of my house was higher than normal and the same was reported to the concerned department through a telephone call with a request for its correction,' he recalled.

'Then I phoned the concerned employee and shared details about use of water and hence my bill was immediately corrected through a simple telephone call,' Manzoor recalled.

He said that such spirit has not yet prevailed in our country and people suffer, running from post to pillar to get their resolved their problems.

Consumers, who installed meters for paying monthly bills are also bearing expenses of all those elements that are using electricity unlawfully, he remarked.

Ambassador Manzoor said passengers were also confronted with different problems at airports during clearance of travelling documents.

The passengers are passing through several counters including airline and immigration for checking of travelling documents, photos, thumb impressions and stamping of passports with a lot of time consumption, he maintained.

'I have travelled to many countries...