Organized Gas Theft Ring Busted in Karachi for Illegally Generating and Selling Electricity

Karachi: An organized gas theft network that allegedly used stolen natural gas to generate and sell electricity to hundreds of consumers has been uncovered in Karachi, the Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) said.

According to an SSGC spokesperson, the operation was carried out at Gulshan View Apartments on Abul Hasan Isphahani Road in Gulzar-e-Hijri, Scheme 33, by the company’s Counter Gas Theft Operations team in coordination with the Customer Relations Department, Distribution Department, and SSGC Police.

Officials said the suspects had illegally diverted gas and stored it in large plastic bags placed on rooftops before using it to operate high-capacity gas generators. Authorities warned that the gas-filled plastic bags posed a serious explosion risk and could have caused a major disaster.

During the raid, authorities recovered two 33-kVA gas generators and one 41.3-kVA gas generator. The equipment was allegedly being used to supply illegal electricity to around 300 apartments and 100 shops within the residential complex.

According to the company, the suspects charged consumers an advance payment of approximately Rs20,000 and a monthly fee of Rs2,000 for the unauthorized electricity supply.

Cases have been registered against three suspects identified as Rehmatullah, Hayat Masood, and Saleem Masood. Officials also removed all illegal gas pipelines at the site and disconnected the unauthorized gas supply feeding the generators.

SSGC has urged the public to report any incidents of gas theft to help prevent illegal activities and ensure public safety.