SSGC continued to tighten the noose on gas theft miscreants through multiple targeted raids in its franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan. In fresh set of raids, a few arrests were made 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 businesses involved in stealing gas directly from 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, 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. Service lines were also killed by SSGC teams to prevent any further unauthorized use. Theft claims are being raised for the recovery of losses incurred.
Raids were also conducted by SSGC’s theft control teams on houses involved in underground and overhead theft in Nawabshah and Larkana regions, with the removal of 12 illegal domestic connections. Theft clamps and rubber pipes used in pilferage were removed by the reading teams. Consequently, theft claims are being raised.
Meanwhile, in upper and lower Balochistan, crackdown against gas theft miscreants continued with removal of 360 overhead and underground illegal gas connections in Quetta, Qalat and Dera Allahyar regions. Five fake meters were also disconnected. In addition, clamps and rubber pipes used in gas theft were removed and confiscated by the theft control teams. Theft claims are also being raised.
In the meantime, strict monitoring and vigilance of the gas theft infested areas is being ensured to prevent repeated cases of pilferage in the residential neighborhoods of the above-mentioned cities. SSGC is laser focused towards controlling the menace of gas theft through regular raids and aggressive prosecution. Gas theft is one of the major reasons behind Unaccounted-for-Gas (UFG) or line losses being incurred by SSGC.