ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan on Thursday revealed his plan to launch a comprehensive drive against power theft to overcome the inefficiency of the system and maximise recovery.
He was chairing a meeting at Power Division which was attended by Power Division Secretary Irfan Ali, Special Secretary Hassan Nasir Jamy, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) MD, CEOs of all Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and other senior officers of the Power Division.
During the meeting, Omar Ayub Khan informed that power theft has increased at an alarmingly high pace and the previous government failed to take steps to eliminate this menace which resulted in a hike in the circular debt.
He said that the present government is determined to curb power theft on a war footing. In this regard, a task force for every province would be constituted in consultation with provincial governments which would provide political assistance and administrative support.
The assistance of law enforcing agencies for safeguarding staff and electricity installations during the crackdown operations would be obtained and FIRs would be registered against pilferers as well as, officials whose alleged involvement in the facilitation of power theft is proven.
The federal minister said that he would personally monitor the success of this operation.
He also directed the team of PEPCO to furnish a report on average units losses on every feeder and verify the complaints of overbilling through spot checking. He directed the CEOs of all DISCOs to make their complaint centers more effective and result oriented and emphasised that it was the vision of the present government to curb corruption within the system and he expected practical proof of the efforts all CEOs make in the fight against theft and corruption.
ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Omar Ayub Khan on Thursday revealed his plan to launch a comprehensive drive against power theft to overcome inefficiency of the system and maximise recovery.
He was chairing a meeting at Power Division which was attended by Power Division Secretary Irfan Ali, Special Secretary Hassan Nasir Jamy, Pakistan Electric Power Company (PEPCO) MD, CEOs of all Distribution Companies (DISCOs) and other senior officers of the Power Division.
During the meeting, Omar Ayub Khan informed that power theft has increased at an alarmingly high pace and previous government failed to take steps to eliminate this menace which resulted in a hike in the circular debt.
He said that the present government is determined to curb power theft on war footing. In this regard, a task force for every province would be constituted in consultation with provincial governments which would provide political assistance and administrative support.
The assistance of law enforcing agencies for safeguarding staff and electricity installations during the crackdown operations would be obtained and FIRs would be registered against pilferers as well as, officials whose alleged involvement in the facilitation of power theft is proven.
The federal minister said that he would personally monitor the success of this operation.
He also directed the team of PEPCO to furnish a report on average units losses on every feeder and verify the complaints of overbilling through spot checking. He directed the CEOs of all DISCOs to make their complaint centers more effective and result oriented and emphasised that it was the vision of the present government to curb corruption within the system and he expected practical proof of the efforts all CEOs make in the fight against theft and corruption.
