RAWALPINDI: A case of theft of crude oil from the main pipeline of Pakistan Oilfields Limited (POL) has come to light as 3,904 barrels of crude oil were stolen in Dhamial area.

Shahid Ahmad, associated with Pakistan Oilfields Limited, said in the FIR that he and the company’s patrolling official, Haris bin Fida, were on duty on Saturday morning when they spotted some suspicious activity near a plot that was located close to the oil pipeline in Dhoke Noor Dhamial.

He said as they reached the plot, they found some crude oil leaking on the spot, and after they dug up the land to five feet deep, they found the company’s 10-inch-diameter main line punctured, and an additional pipe clamped to it for theft of crude oil.

Mr Ahmed further said that the plot owner and another person had stolen the company’s crude oil by connecting a pipe to the main pipeline.

He further alleged that 3,904 barrels of crude oil had been stolen from the main line. The Saddar Bairooni police have registered a case under relevant sections of the law; however, no arrests have so far been made.

A similar incident was reported to the police in December last year by a senior official of Pakistan Oilfields Company (POL) with Saddar Bairooni saying that he has been serving as senior executive admin in the company as POL Pakistan supplied crude oil to Attock Oil Refinery Morgah through a pipeline.

Following a fire at the main oil supply line in Dhamial, the owner of a house and four of its tenants were booked by the police on charges of theft of crude oil, dishonesty and other relevant sections of the law. A manhunt was launched by the police to arrest the suspects.

Published in Dawn, April 1st, 2024