SSGC continued to tighten the noose on gas theft miscreants through multiple targeted raids in its Sindh and Balochistan franchise provinces. A few arrests were made in a fresh set of raids, and illegal connections were removed.
Company’s Security Services and Counter Gas Theft Operations (SS&CGTO) Department teams, along with SSGC Police and Recovery Department, raided a sweets and bakers manufacturing business in Korangi as well as a roadside hotel in DHA Phase-2 Extension and found the companies involved in stealing gas directly from the service line for commercial purposes. Hotel owner Rohallah Agha and Sweets and Bakers manufacturer Azam Dehlvi were arrested by SSGC Police, followed by lodging of FIRs against them. Subsequent claims are being raised to recover the lost amount.
SS&CGTO, continued to score prosecution successes with the conviction of two gas theft criminals, Atif Ghouri and Jameeluddin, in two separate cases by Gas Utility Court, Karachi Division. FIRs were lodged against the two individuals for direct gas use for commercial purposes.
Meanwhile 1,425 illegal domestic connections were removed in different cities and towns in Company’s franchise areas by the Company’s theft control teams. In Karachi, the Customer Relations Department’s theft control teams removed 1,049 illegal domestic underground and overhead connections in Gulshan-e-Iqbal, Nazimabad, Korangi, Landhi, Baldia Town, Orangi Town, Malir and several other areas. In the pilferage cases, residents had illegally extended gas connections that were dismantled during the raids. 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 12 illegal domestic connections. The reading teams also removed theft clamps and rubber pipes used in pilferage. Consequently, theft claims are being raised.
Meanwhile, in upper and lower Balochistan, the crackdown against gas theft miscreants continued. 360 overhead and underground illegal gas connections were removed in the Quetta, Qalat, and Dera Allahyar regions. Five fake meters were also 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 are being ensured to prevent repeated cases of pilferage in the residential neighbourhoods of the above-mentioned cities. SSGC is laser-focused on controlling the menace of gas theft through regular raids and aggressive prosecution. Gas theft is one of the major reasons behind SSGC’s incurred Unaccounted-for gas (UFG) or line losses.
