KARACHI, July 20: A man, who applied for a telephone connection six months ago and is still waiting for it, has received the first bill with arrears.

Allah Rakkah, a resident of Kharia Compound on the Sheldon Road, had applied for the connection – registration number N/12/00425/01/06 – on Jan 31 at the office of the divisional engineer, telephones, Marston Road.

Though Mr Rakkah has still not got the phone connection, he has received a telephone bill of Rs1,650 –

Rs204.72 current dues and Rs1,442.24 arrears – for June. The due date for payment is July 22. The bill was issued on telephone number 2775530 by the 901-ACLT-MARSTON RD-III Exchange. The bill also carries the history of previous bills according to which the bill for March was Rs968.65, April, Rs210.10 and May, Rs263.49.

Mr Rakkah said: "I was shocked when the PTCL issued the bill with arrears while I do not have the phone connection. I was told at the time of submitting the form that I would get the connection in a month or so. I contacted the area PTCL office and they told me that my application was in process and soon the connection would be installed."

"I have dialled the number mentioned on the bill time and again but the bell goes and no one picks it up," he said. He expressed the apprehension that the PTCL might have installed the connection at some other place.