PSO nails pipeline fuel thieves in midnight raid

July 20, 2026 (MLN): Pakistan State Oil (PSO), in coordination with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), foiled an organized fuel theft attempt on the Sihala–ARL pipeline during a midnight operation on July 15-16, 2026, recovering nearly 2,000 litres of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) and apprehending the suspects red-handed.

The operation was triggered after a sudden pressure drop was detected in the pipeline, according to a press release issued.

Acting on prior intelligence and continuous surveillance of a suspected site on Kahuta Road, PSO said it alerted LEAs immediately, prompting a swift joint response in which security teams moved in and apprehended the suspects while they were illegally tapping the pipeline.

Two vehicles, a Shahzore and a Hyundai truck, used in the theft were seized, along with about 800 litres of HSD already loaded onto them.

A further 1,000 litres were recovered from storage tanks at the site, while around 200 litres were found stored in drums and 20/50-litre cans.

Equipment used for the illegal tapping was also confiscated.

All suspects, along with the seized vehicles, recovered product and equipment, have been handed over to Sihala Police for further investigation and legal proceedings.

The company said the operation reflected its zero-tolerance policy toward fuel theft and its commitment to protecting national energy infrastructure, adding that real-time monitoring, actionable intelligence and prompt LEA support had made the interdiction possible.

 PSO said it remains committed to safeguarding the country's energy supply chain and will continue working with law enforcement to dismantle criminal networks targeting critical infrastructure.

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