SSGC raid exposes illegal gas network fueling 300 flats, 100 shops in Karachi

ISLAMABAD:Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has uncovered a large-scale gas theft operation in Karachi that was illegally supplying electricity to around 300 apartments and 100 shops through stolen natural gas, while also averting a potential fire or explosion by seizing hazardous gas storage units.

According to an official statement, the raid was carried out at Gulshan View Apartment on Abul Hasan Ispahani Road in Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, by SSGC's Counter Gas Theft Operations (CGTO) team in coordination with the Customer Relations Department (Domestic Theft), Distribution Department and SSGC Police.

During the operation, the team discovered that the suspects had illegally connected two 33 KVA gas generators and one 41.3 KVA gas generator to stolen gas supplies for unauthorized electricity generation. The illegally generated power was being supplied to approximately 300 apartments and 100 commercial shops within the residential complex.

SSGC said the suspects were collecting around Rs20,000 as an advance payment from consumers and charging Rs2,000 per month for the unauthorized electricity supply.

The company identified the accused as Rehmatullah, Hayat Masood and Saleem Masood, adding that a First Information Report (FIR) has been registered against them.

During the raid, the CGTO team also found three gas balloon storage units fitted with plastic valves that were leaking gas, creating what the company described as a serious safety hazard with the potential to trigger a fire or a major explosion.

The hazardous gas storage units, along with their associated kits and batteries, were confiscated on the spot.

SSGC said the timely operation eliminated an immediate threat to residents by removing the dangerous gas balloons and dismantling the illegal infrastructure used for gas theft.

The raiding team also removed all unauthorized pipelines used to steal gas and disconnected illegal gas connections supplying fuel to the generators used for unauthorized power generation.

The utility urged consumers to report incidents of gas theft, warning that illegal gas connections and unsafe storage methods not only cause financial losses but also pose serious risks to human lives and property due to the possibility of fires and explosions.