Widespread Gas Theft in Karachi Exposed: SSGC Faces Corruption Scandal Amid Public Outcry

Karachi: In a city already reeling from electricity outages, water shortages, and rising inflation, Karachi’s citizens now face a deepening gas crisis. The Sui Southern Gas Company (SSGC) has come under fire amid growing allegations of corruption, illegal billing, and exploitation of the public.
According to sources, dozens of restaurants, tea stalls, and small hotels across Karachi are illegally using residential gas connections for commercial purposes. These unauthorized setups are reportedly being facilitated by corrupt SSGC officials in exchange for hefty bribes, as commercial gas rates are significantly higher than residential ones. This malpractice not only causes billions of rupees in losses to the company but also results in inflated billing for honest consumers.
The scandal bears striking resemblance to long-standing accusations against K-Electric, where employees allegedly install illegal electricity connections (“kundas”) in return for bribes, while legitimate bill payers bear the cost of stolen electricity. Now, SSGC appears to be following the same pattern.
In one shocking incident, a resident of Akhtar Colony received a gas bill of Rs. 206,000 despite continuous gas outages. Upon checking the duplicate bill on the SSGC website, the amount listed was only Rs. 102,000, revealing serious discrepancies and raising concerns over fraudulent billing.
Similar complaints have surfaced from areas including Gulistan-e-Johar, Nazimabad, Liaquatabad, Korangi, and Orangi Town. Residents report receiving inflated “estimated bills” without any meter readings. In some homes, bills continue to arrive even though gas meters are non-functional, and residents are being forced to pay extra to have new meters installed.
Customers also complain of mistreatment at SSGC offices, where staff reportedly engage in rude behavior and demand bribes rather than resolving issues. This has caused further distress among the public and reinforced perceptions of systemic corruption.
SSGC has a history of financial misconduct, with past audit reports and NAB investigations revealing massive losses due to fake contracts, bogus connections, and non-transparent payments. Experts fear the company is now using tactics similar to K-Electric to boost revenues through artificial billing at the cost of public trust.
Analysts and civil society activists are calling for urgent intervention. They demand that the Chief Justice of Pakistan, NAB, FIA, and the Federal Ombudsman launch an independent forensic audit of SSGC’s billing and connection policies. They further urge that:
Households without active gas supply should not be billed.
Corrupt officials and those issuing fake bills be prosecuted.
Citizens be guaranteed fair, transparent, and accessible gas services.
If left unchecked, these illegal practices could worsen Karachi’s already deteriorating quality of life, further eroding public confidence in essential utilities.