SSGC continued to tighten the noose on gas theft miscreants through multiple targeted raids in its franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. The Company raided domestic and commercial customers involved in theft through direct lines, lodged FIRs against culprits, and prevailed in prosecuting the criminals in accordance with the Gas (Theft Control and Recovery Act) 2016.
As part of Operation Girift, a campaign aimed at clamping down on gas theft, the Company’s Security Services and Counter Gas Theft Operations (SS & CGTO), along with the SSGC Police and Recovery Department, conducted joint raids in three roadside hotels in Shah Latif Town, Karachi, for direct gas use for commercial purposes. Madina Farman Hotel, New Mash Allah D.I Khan Hotel, and Waziristan Hotel were raided on a tip-off. SSGC Police lodged FIRs against the three culprits, including Noor-uz-Zaman and Barkatullah, and arrested them.
SSGC Police and Recovery Department, SS & CGTO team also conducted a joint raid at Lyari, Karachi. Culprit M. Kamran was found using a heavy gas generator to generate power through a commercial distribution service line. The total connecting load was estimated at 300 Cft/hr. SSGC Police summarily registered an FIR against the miscreant.
SS & CGTO also raided in a large commercial laundry in Scheme 33 in Karachi and lodged an FIR against culprit Islam Jan for using gas directly through service line for heavy generator and heat dryers. The total connecting load was found to be 1030 ft/hr. On a tip-off, SS&CGTO Operations Wing Hyderabad conducted a raid along with Distribution and Customer Relations Department (CRD) teams on the Super Sindh Hotel on National Highway Road, Kotri, which was found using gas directly from the main distribution line dedicated to CNG. Connected Load was found to be 500 cft/hr. The clamp used for theft was removed, and the line was repaired. FIR was lodged, and claims were raised to recover losses incurred.
SS & CGTO’s prosecution successes continued with the convictions of accused Shariq and Nazakat Shah in two separate cases for using gas illegally for commercial purposes through a direct connection. Claims were raised in all the above cases.
Meanwhile, in fresh operations, the company’s theft control teams removed around 805 illegal domestic connections in different cities and towns.
In Karachi, CRD’s theft control teams removed more than 550 illegal domestic underground and overhead connections in Landhi, Korangi, Ahsanabad, Surjani Town, Memon Goth and several other areas. In the pilferage cases, residents had illegally extended gas connections that were dismantled during the raids. The SSGC teams also killed service lines to prevent any further unauthorized use. Theft claims are being raised to recover the losses incurred.
SSGC’s theft control teams also conducted raids on houses involved in underground and overhead theft in the Nawabshah and Larkana regions, removing 15 illegal domestic connections. The reading teams also removed theft clamps and rubber pipes used in pilferage. An FIR was lodged against culprits involved in domestic theft through a direct line in Jacobabad. Consequently, theft claims are being raised.
Meanwhile, in upper and lower Balochistan, the crackdown against gas theft miscreants continued. 240 overhead and underground illegal gas connections were removed in Quetta and other towns. More than 5 fake meters were also found disconnected. In addition, the theft control teams removed and confiscated clamps and rubber pipes used in gas theft. Theft claims are also being raised.
In the meantime, strict monitoring and vigilance of the gas theft-infested areas will be ensured to prevent repeated pilferage cases in the residential neighbourhoods of the cities mentioned above.
