Govt to expedite installation of power meters to stop theft

ISLAMABAD: The federal government on Friday decided to expedite installation of electricity meters in the areas where electricity is being used through direct connections (Kunda system).

The decision was taken during a high level meeting chaired by Prime Minister Imran Khan in Islamabad today.

Expressing concerns over the quantum of power theft, the prime minister said it was unacceptable that those who regularly pay their dues have to face inconvenience of load shedding because of theft by some elements.

He directed Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and power minister to hold a press conference to apprise the public of the issue and garner support for the government’s crackdown against power theft.

The Secretary Power Division informed that the Power Division in coordination with the provincial task forces is actively carrying forward the campaign against power theft in all the provinces.

He said recently gangs were busted in LESCO and Faisalabad region which were involved in facilitating power pilferage by tampering electricity meters through software.

The meeting also discussed the issue of low recoveries in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa province.

The premier was informed that out of total losses of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, major losses were being incurred in PESCO region. Minister for Power Omer Ayub on the occasion informed that due to hectic efforts by Power division, power losses and recovery situation has started witnessing improvement.