SSGC disconnects 3,788 illegal gas connections

KARACHI: The Sui Southern Gas Company Ltd., in its franchise provinces of Sindh and Balochistan has been working day and night to eliminate the rising incidences of gas theft.

With new connections on hold for more than 3 years, many people have resorted to illegally accessing gas from the main service line via rubber pipe extensions or overhead or underground clamps.

While the Company keeps on reiterating to the customers about the heavy penalties associated with these crimes, followed by imprisonment, however, the rising cases of domestic gas theft has left the Company with no other choice but to take strict actions against those involved.

Recently, the Company’s Security Services and Counter Gas Theft Operations Department (SS&CGTO) in coordination with Customer Relations Department (CRD), and Recovery Department has carried out raids in multiple areas of Karachi, Hyderabad, and Balochistan. The teams found 3,788 illegal gas connections, which were disconnected on the spot. All equipment used for illegally accessing the gas from the Company’s main distribution line were taken in custody and appropriate claims will be raised against the parties involved in these crimes. In Karachi, a total of 2,930 illegal gas connections were removed, followed by 242 in Quetta and 11 in Hyderabad.

Meanwhile, in a raid at Yar Muhammad Goth, near Malir Nadi near Murghi Khana Stop, Quaidabad, Karachi, Team SSGC found three culprits, namely; Ghulam Murtaza, Muhammad Ashraf and Muhammad Yousuf, illegally accessing gas from the Company’s main distribution line to supply gas to 605 households of Yar Muhammad Goth, Agha Town, Hamal Goth & Chiragh Colony. FIR has been registered against the three aforementioned culprits and appropriate claims will be raised against them.

It should be noted that gas theft is a serious crime against the community and not only is it dangerous but it can put the culprits behind bars.