KARACHI: Sui Southern Gas Company Limited (SSGC) has removed more than 1,160 illegal gas connections and arrested one suspect during an extensive anti-gas theft campaign carried out across Karachi and other areas of Sindh and Balochistan. According to the company, the crackdown was conducted jointly by the SS&CGTO, CRD Theft Section, Distribution Department, SSGC Police and local law enforcement agencies as part of ongoing efforts to curb gas theft in the utility’s franchise areas. During a raid at a water hydrant factory in Saeedabad, Baldia Town, officials found that gas was being stolen directly from the main distribution line to operate a heavy-duty gas generator. A suspect identified as Raheemullah was arrested at the site and a First Information Report (FIR) was registered. In another operation at Rind Goth in Scheme 33, authorities detected an underground illegal connection supplying gas to around 250 households. The suspects were allegedly charging consumers Rs40,000 as an advance payment and Rs1,500 per month for the illegal supply. FIRs were registered against three individuals involved in the operation. A separate inspection in Gulshan-e-Muazzam Society in Bin Qasim Town uncovered another underground connection supplying gas to approximately 150 houses. According to SSGC, the operators were charging Rs50,000 as an advance payment and Rs2,500 per month. Two suspects were nominated in the FIR registered in connection with the case. Similarly, a raid in Chashma Goth, Ibrahim Hyderi, led to the detection of illegal gas supply to about 60 houses through an underground connection. The suspects were reportedly collecting Rs40,000 as advance payments and Rs2,000 per month from consumers. FIRs were registered against four individuals. In one of the largest operations, authorities uncovered a major gas theft network in Goth Wasand Khan near Kalmati Chowk in Shah Latif Town, where an underground connection from the main distribution line was supplying gas to around 700 houses. Consumers were allegedly paying Rs35,000 as advance and Rs2,000 per month for illegal connections. Three suspects were nominated in the FIR. SSGC said all equipment used for gas theft was removed during the operations and claims would be raised against those involved. The company said it will continue its crackdown against illegal connections, describing gas theft as a serious offence that causes financial losses and disrupts supply to legitimate consumers. Copyright Business Recorder, 2026