PSO and Islamabad Police Foil Pipeline Fuel Theft, Two Arrested

ISLAMABAD: Pakistan State Oil (PSO), in a coordinated intelligence-led operation with Islamabad Police, foiled an attempted fuel theft on the Sihala–Attock Refinery Limited (ARL) pipeline in the early hours of Wednesday morning, resulting in the arrest of two suspects.

At approximately 4:30 a.m., PSO’s monitoring systems at the Sihala Terminal detected an abnormal pressure drop along the pipeline. Acting on prior intelligence and real-time surveillance, PSO’s security team immediately alerted Islamabad Police, and a joint raid was launched within thirty minutes.

The operation caught the perpetrators in the act. Responding teams dismantled an active theft clamp fitted to the pipeline and apprehended two suspects at the scene. Recoveries included approximately 1,000 liters of High-Speed Diesel stored in drums and cans, a loader vehicle used in the attempt, and the illegal tapping equipment.

The suspects, recovered fuel, and vehicle have been handed over to Sihala Police for formal case registration and legal proceedings. The site has been secured and restored to safe operating condition.

“Fuel theft is not only a crime against national assets, it endangers lives and communities. PSO maintains zero tolerance for illegal tapping and will continue to pursue perpetrators to the full extent of the law” said a PSO spokesperson.

PSO remains committed to safeguarding the country’s energy supply chain and works continuously with federal and provincial authorities to protect critical infrastructure.