Heads will roll in power distribution companies come January, says minister

Federal Minister for Power Division Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said Tuesday that some heads will definitely roll in the electricity distribution companies in January 2018 after their poor performance is reviewed by the government.

He said this while speaking at a press conference held at the launch of a mobile phone app “Roshan Pakistan”. The app would provide consumers access to detailed information about their electricity bills.

Answering a query regarding the measures adopted to recover the receivables of power companies, presently standing at Rs800 billion by September 30, 2017, Leghari said that revenue collection was one of the key performance indicators set by the current government. Out of the total amount, around Rs600 billion would be paid by the power sector as outstanding dues to the government.

“Right now, we are busy reviewing the overall performance of the power distribution companies and the results will be shared shortly,” he said.

Replying to another question, Leghari said that it was the first time in the history of the country that vital information pertaining to the power sector was being shared with the general public. He said that the move would enable the government to put to rest all propaganda about the duration of load-shedding hours in different areas of the country.

He further said that consumers would now be able to get updates through the app like billing information, net metering and feeder-wise electricity supply, while also serving as a bill calculator.

He also said that the app would enable users to gain information about 10 power distribution companies.

Leghari also said that the Power Division had managed to add 4,500 megawatts of electricity to the national grid, adding that power generation would exceed the demand by next summer season.

He informed that the problem of overbilling would be addressed after a piece of legislation was passed by the Senate. The bill, already approved by the National Assembly, mentioned a three-year imprisonment for officers found in overbilling.

Earlier, Power Division Secretary Yousuf Naseem Khokhar, while talking about the app, said that the bilingual app would facilitate consumers in both English and Urdu languages.

Answering a query, the secretary said that 11,000 megawatts of electricity would be added to the system after the completion of several projects, including 1,410 megawatts Tarbela IV extension and 969 megawatts Neelum-Jhelum hydroelectric power scheme.

An official, requesting anonymity, said that the Roshan Pakistan app excluded information of 60 to 70 feeders that were located in sensitive areas of the country.