Senate body recommends ‘free electricity’ for mosques issuing ‘fatwa’ against power theft

ISLAMABAD: A novel proposal was floated during a meeting of sub-committee of the Senate Standing Committee that if the prayer leader of a mosque issues a fatwa (decree) against power theft, such mosque should be offered free electricity

According to the proposal prepared by the sub-committee, mosques which will announce an edict – highlighting the ‘repercussions of using stolen electricity in daily life’ – against the power theft will be given the first 400 units of electricity free each month in a bid to convince public more effectively.

The sub-committee observed in its recommendation that Rs40 billion loss incurred by Pepco in the last six months due to the supply of electricity to 80 per cent theft/loss feeders on the direction of Power division was not acceptable’.

The Senate body also proposed that in such cases, a federal subsidy through zakat or BISP (Benazir Income Support Program) must be provided for these theft bearing feeders.

It was also observed that load shedding has to be done on an equitable basis as directed by the Chief Justice in a suo motu case.

In June this year, a sub-committee of the Standing Committee on Power with Senator Nauman Wazir Khattak in the chair had proposed to get religious fatwas issued against the menace, so people could stop indulging in such practices.

The committee had said it would be helpful to sensitize people about power theft through religious decrees with a warning of consequences of the crime in the life and the hereafter.