Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited has dismantled a major gas theft network at a hotel in Murree, uncovering a 40-metre illegal pipeline directly connected to its distribution network and detecting theft of natural gas worth an estimated Rs20 million.
Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL), in collaboration with the Murree district administration and police, has unearthed a major gas theft network operating at a local hotel in Lower Bazaar, Murree, as part of its nationwide campaign against gas theft and reduction of Unaccounted for Gas (UFG).
According to the company, an enforcement team from SNGPL’s Islamabad Region, assisted by Deputy Commissioner Murree and officials of Police Station Kaldana, carried out a raid on July 8 after receiving confidential intelligence about illegal gas consumption at the hotel.
During the operation, the team disconnected the hotel’s gas meter and Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) cylinders. However, the gas appliances continued functioning, raising suspicions of an illegal supply source and prompting a detailed inspection of the premises.
The investigation led to the discovery of an approximately 40-metre-long Polypropylene Random (PPR) pipeline that had been illegally connected directly to SNGPL’s main gas distribution pipeline on Mall Road, Murree, enabling the hotel to bypass the company’s metering system.
Following the discovery, the SNGPL team removed the illegal pipeline, valves and other fittings, seized the gas meter and permanently disconnected the hotel’s service line from the main distribution network to prevent any further theft.
The company said documentary, photographic and video evidence was collected during the operation to support legal proceedings against the consumer and to determine the exact quantity of natural gas stolen through the illegal connection.
According to preliminary estimates, the hotel illegally consumed natural gas worth around Rs20 million. SNGPL said the amount would be recovered from the consumer in accordance with the company’s rules and applicable regulations.
The company said the operation reflects its continued crackdown on gas theft across the country, warning that strict legal action will be taken against individuals and businesses found involved in illegally tapping the gas distribution network.
