3,000 people sent to jail over power pilferage: minister
- By Web Desk -
- Apr 15, 2019
ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan on Monday warned of strict actions against power pilferage.
In an interview, Omar Ayub Khan said that over 30,000 cases were registered against power theft and about 3,000 people involved in power pilferage were sent behind the bars during the ongoing drive against electricity theft.
The minister said that at least 400 employees of WAPDA were also suspended over different charges and added that latest technology was being introduced to improve the efficiency of the power sector.
The minister said that share of solar and wind in the power production would be enhanced. Omar Ayub said that 750 megawatts of electricity would be added to the system in the next fourteen months.
Read More: Power theft reduced in last three months: Asad Umar
Earlier, Finance Minister Asad Umar, on February 13, had said the authorities needed to take further steps to prevent electricity theft which is rampant countrywide.
Chairing a meeting of Cabinet committee on Energy, Umar had reviewed the progress report of action against elements involved in electricity theft. He had told the meeting that first information reports (FIRs) had been registered against more than 18,000 people on charges of power pilferage.