Rs230b power theft loss recorded in one year, NA told

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir told the National assembly that Rs 230 billion power theft was recorded in one year across Pakistan, ARY News reported on Monday.

As per details, Federal Minister for Energy Khurram Dastgir informed the National Assembly that the total country’s circular debt till December 2022 has reached Rs 2536 billion while the circular debt for this year is Rs 343 billion. The line losses have also hiked to Rs 113 billion.

The facts and figures regarding the circular debt were submitted to the National Assembly by the Ministry of Power. Khurram Dastgir said that legislation will be made to curb the power theft across the country which will consider the power theft as a crime.

Earlier, the federal government sought the imposition of a surcharge on electricity consumers to recover Rs335 billion.

The federal government filed a plea with the NEPRA seeking imposition of surcharge up to Rs3.23paisas/unit. The NEPRA is scheduled to hear the plea of the government on March 16.

As per the plea, the government has sought the imposition of Rs0.43paisas/unit surcharge on electricity consumers from July to October 30.

The consumers using above 300 units of electricity per month will be slapped with a Rs3.23/unit surcharge during the same corresponding period.