1.5 KM Long Illegal Gas Pipeline Discovered In Islamabad

Over the weekend, an integrated gas company based in Pakistan made a significant revelation, announcing the discovery of an illicit gas pipeline spanning an extensive 1,500 meters (equivalent to 1.5 kilometers) in the capital city of Islamabad.

This discovery comes as a stark reminder of the challenges faced by Pakistan in meeting the escalating demand for natural gas, a consequence of the nation’s burgeoning energy needs and the persistent disparities between supply and demand.

Compounding these challenges is the fact that domestic natural gas production in Pakistan experienced a notable decline of approximately five percent over the preceding year, as reported by the country’s energy ministry. In an effort to address these issues, Pakistan’s caretaker government initiated a nationwide crackdown against gas theft in September, seeking to bolster electricity and gas supply while concurrently minimizing losses in the distribution network. The Sui Northern Gas Pipeline Limited (SNGPL), at the forefront of this endeavor, has undertaken extensive efforts to disconnect numerous illegal gas connections throughout the country.

The recent revelation regarding the illegal gas pipeline uncovered by SNGPL pertains to a clandestine network stretching from Japan Road Kangota Syedan Village to a private housing society in Islamabad, as disclosed by Shahid Akram, the spokesperson for SNGPL in Islamabad. According to Akram, the vigilant SNGPL team, acting on a detailed report, executed a joint operation in collaboration with the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officials on December 8. The objective was to dismantle this unauthorized 1,500-meter gas pipeline, a clandestine project initiated by an individual associated with the undisclosed private housing society.

Intriguingly, Akram revealed that the clandestine pipeline installation was accompanied by the surreptitious relocation of gas meters to the newly established society. This maneuver, as suggested by Akram, aimed to create a deceptive impression that the society legitimately had access to gas, thereby artificially inflating the value of the plots within the housing development.

Removal Of Connections:

In response to this discovery, Akram affirmed that the dismantling of the illegal pipeline and the removal of illicit gas connections have been successfully completed. Simultaneously, the FIA is actively engaged in an investigation, striving to identify and hold accountable the culprits involved both within and outside the concerned department. Emphasizing the seriousness of the matter, Akram stated that based on the FIA’s findings, a First Information Report (FIR) would be registered against those found guilty.

While highlighting the potential for departmental actions against individuals found complicit in this unlawful act, Akram clarified that as of now, no arrests have been made. The FIA continues its meticulous verification of facts before initiating formal legal proceedings. He underscored the commitment of SNGPL in closely coordinating with the FIA, reiterating their determination to take stringent actions against all those implicated in the installation of the illegal gas pipeline.

Akram shed light on the comprehensive approach adopted by SNGPL in combating such fraudulent activities, detailing the role of their vigilance team in monitoring specific areas and gathering intelligence on illegal practices. The vigilance team, he explained, collaborates with the Unaccounted For Gas (UFG) action team, which conducts raids in partnership with the FIA. In a positive note, Akram highlighted the ongoing success of their campaign against gas theft and illegal connections, revealing the recovery of substantial amounts in outstanding payments and the disconnection of numerous unauthorized gas connections, signifying a step toward rectifying the pervasive issue.

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