Gas theft: CNG filling station owner arrested

FAISALABAD: The owner of a compressed natural gas filling station was arrested on Tuesday for attacking and detaining a Sui Northern Gas Pipelines Limited (SNGPL) team who had tried to disconnect an illegal gas connection at the filling station on Jhang-Faisalabad Road. The FIR stated that Abdul Qadir had also defaulted on Rs13.5 million fines imposed on him for stealing gas for use at his filling station. It said he had earlier avoided arrest by bribing some SNGPL officials, who were facing an inquiry over the issue. The FIR said that during Tuesday’s raid the SNGPL team led by Distribution Officer Rashid Hameed was attacked and detained by some of the employees. The team was rescued by Jhang City police officials who later arrested the owner as well.

Published in The Express Tribune, September 26^th, 2012.