PESCO CEO concerned over surge in electricity theft in KP

Despite shortage of power generation and loadshedding, electricity theft has become a normal practice in different areas of the province in general and in Peshawar district in particular.
According to details, hundreds of electricity consumers in various areas of Peshawar including Badhber, Ahmedkhel, Landi Arbab, Matni, Bazeedkhel, Pushtakhara, Regi, Mithra, Palosi and Kochian; lack electricity meters and they have acquired direct electricity connections from the power lines passing nearby their homes.
Chief Executive Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) Brigadier (Retd) Tariq Sadozai claimed that Khyber Pakhtunkhawa is on top in electricity theft cases.
He said that besides Peshawar district, surge in electricity theft cases have also been reported in Charsadda, Bannu and other districts of KP.
Tariq Sadozai claimed that different provincial departments are defaulter of Rs 120 billion of PESCO due to which it had to face difficulties. He said that due to failure in recovery and overcoming line losses, the burden was shifted to electricity consumers in the form of excess bills and surcharges.
Meanwhile, Information Minister KP Mian Iftikhar Hussain has hailed the PESCO CEO’s statement but questioned that when there is acute shortage of electricity in the province, how could it be stolen. He said that electricity is stolen in industries and factories. KP has the least number of industrial units as compared to other provinces.
Meanwhile, KP government taking the notice of PESCO CEO statement, has decided to establish special police stations in Peshawar, Charsadda and Bannu aimed at stopping electricity theft incidents.