PSO foils major oil theft
Pakistan State Oil and Law Enforcement Agencies successfully intercepted an organized oil theft syndicate on the Sihala–ARL pipeline, apprehending suspects and recovering over 2,000 litres of stolen diesel.
- Joint operation by PSO and law enforcement.
- Pipeline pressure drop triggering the operation.
- Stolen fuel and equipment recovered from suspects.
- PSO's zero-tolerance policy on fuel theft.
Karachi: In a midnight operation, Pakistan State Oil (PSO), in close coordination with Law Enforcement Agencies (LEAs), successfully intercepted an organised oil theft syndicate operating on the Sihala–ARL pipeline on the night of 15–16 July 2026.
The operation was triggered at 23:45 hours following the detection of a sudden pressure drop in the pipeline. Acting on prior intelligence and continuous surveillance of a suspected location on Kahuta Road, PSO immediately alerted the LEAs.
In a swift joint response, the security teams moved in and at approximately 0215 hours apprehended the suspects red-handed while they were illegally extracting petroleum product from the pipeline.
Key Recoveries: 2 vehicles seized: Shahzore / Hyundai trucks used in the theft; Around 800 litres of High-Speed Diesel (HSD) loaded in vehicles; About 1,000 litres of HSD recovered from storage tanks; At least 200 litres of HSD found in drums and 20/50-litre cans; and associated equipment used for illegal tapping 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.
According to the statement issued by the PSO, this operation underscores PSO’s zero-tolerance policy toward fuel theft and its commitment to protecting national energy infrastructure. The successful interdiction was made possible through real-time monitoring, actionable intelligence, and the prompt action of our LEA partners.
Copyright Business Recorder, 2026
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