Civil Defence seals 15 shops in Sargodha over illegal LPG decanting

Civil Defence authorities in Sargodha sealed 15 shops at Chowk Bhagat on Lahore Road on Wednesday, after finding them carrying out illegal liquefied petroleum gas (LPG) decanting and refilling activities, officials said.

The action was part of what officials described as an ongoing crackdown against unauthorized LPG handling in the district. A spokesperson for the Civil Defence department said Civil Defence Officer Talib Hussain confirmed the operation targeting the shops was carried out under directives issued by the Deputy Commissioner.

Illegal LPG decanting, in which gas is transferred between cylinders or containers outside authorized and regulated facilities, has repeatedly raised safety concerns in Pakistan, given the fire and explosion risks associated with improper handling of pressurized flammable gas.

Authorities in various parts of Pakistan have periodically launched crackdowns against unlicensed LPG operations, citing public safety as a primary motivation, particularly in densely populated commercial areas where an accident could pose a serious risk to nearby residents and businesses.

It was not immediately clear whether any individuals connected to the sealed shops would face further legal action, penalties or prosecution beyond the closure of the premises.

The Civil Defence department indicated that similar inspections would continue as part of its broader effort to enforce safety regulations governing the storage, transport and sale of LPG in the district.

Officials did not specify a timeline for when, or whether, the sealed shops might be permitted to reopen, pending compliance with safety and licensing requirements.