Oil theft worth over Rs2.5b surfaces in Pindi

A case of crude oil theft worth over Rs250 million has been uncovered in Rawalpindi's Dhamial area, where suspects allegedly tampered with a Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) supply pipeline.

Police have registered a case and launched a search for the suspects.

According to sources, the suspects dug a tunnel from a house in Ranial to illegally access the underground pipeline. Two large storage tanks were built inside the house where the stolen oil was stored before being transported in tankers.

The theft came to light when a dumper truck and a motorcycle caught fire inside the premises.

Police recovered crude oil, a high-pressure underground pipe, equipment, two national identity cards, a pistol and other evidence.

The case was registered on the complaint of POL's Senior Executive Admin Shahid Ahmed who stated that crude oil is supplied via pipeline from Pind Fateh to Morgah for Attock Refinery.

Authorities had already been investigating reports of tampering along the route when the fire incident exposed the large-scale theft.

The nominated suspects include house owner Sher Khan, his son Fazal Sher, Shrafat Ali, Muhammad Bilal, Muhammad Wajid, and other unidentified accomplices. Initial investigations revealed that around 12,821 barrels of crude oil had been stolen so far. Police said raids are underway and expressed confidence that the suspects will be arrested soon.