SSGC has zero tolerance against gas theft, a major cause of UFG and will continue to show absolutely no remorse in dealing with gas thieves. For this reason, in 2017, the Company created Security Services and Counter Gas Theft Operations Department (SS &CGTO).
In a recent media talk, DG (SS&CGTO) Brigadier Muhammad Abuzar (R) dilated on the role of the Department in creating a major deterrence against gas theft in Sindh and Balochistan and highlighted some of the key developments including:
• Creation of Intelligence, operations, prosecution, technical support and security wings to rein in gas thieves.
• Establishment of dedicated police stations in Karachi and Quetta.
• Regular crackdowns on different categories of customers, lodging of FIRs and raising of claims.
• Prosecution of gas theft cases through specially created 38 Gas Utility Courts in Sindh and Balochistan as per Gas (Theft Control and Recovery) Act, 2016.
“Since 2017 till date, we have conducted 2,073 counter gas theft operations against industrial, commercial, domestic to commercial and bulk domestic registered customers, whereas 4,173 direct theft operations have been carried out against industrial and commercial unregistered consumers, “ the head of CGTO Department said. He provided the following snapshot of the progress made so far in combatting gas theft.
Total FIRs registered – 731
Number of Recovery Suits ` – 335
Criminal Trials in Progress – 380
Total Convictions – 231
Total MMCF saved through:
• Gas Theft Operations – 301
• Negative Metering Pressure – 576
• PUG – 323
• EVC Malfunctioning – 538
In financial terms SSGC has recovered around Rs 6.1 billion from above activities. These measures have reduced the total UFG of the company from 17% to 14.26%. In Karachi, UFG has slid from from 13% to 9%.
‘SSGC is fully determined to stay grounded in its war against gas theft and we as a nation must keep the momentum going,” DG-SS & CGTO stressed.
