Power Theft
ISLAMABAD: The Power Division of Pakistan has achieved a significant milestone in its ongoing campaign against power theft, recovering over Rs108.93 billion nationwide.
This crackdown represents a crucial effort by the Pakistan government and military leadership to address the economic challenges facing the country.
The substantial recovery of over Rs108 billion comes as a result of a comprehensive operation aimed at curbing electricity theft, a major contributor to the country’s growing circular debt.
This initiative has led to the arrest of more than 84,000 individuals involved in power theft, demonstrating the scale and seriousness of the crackdown.
In August alone, key institutions managed to collect over one billion rupees from electricity thieves in major cities including Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, Multan, and Islamabad.
This targeted approach has proven effective in recovering significant sums of money and reinforcing the government’s commitment to combating energy theft.
The crackdown was officially announced on September 6 by the then caretaker federal government, as part of a broader strategy to tackle the escalating circular debt in the power sector.
The power minister highlighted that the ten distribution companies in Pakistan are collectively facing an annual loss of Rs589 billion.
This staggering figure is largely attributed to electricity theft and the nonpayment of utility bills, which have exacerbated the financial strain on the power sector.
The urgency of the situation has been underscored by widespread protests across the country, from Karachi to Khyber, triggered by inflated power bills.
In some regions, these protests have escalated into violence, reflecting the deep frustration among the public regarding rising electricity costs and service issues.
The successful recovery of funds through this crackdown marks a significant step towards stabilizing the financial health of the power sector and addressing the broader economic issues stemming from energy theft and financial mismanagement.
As the government continues to enforce measures against power theft, the hope is that these efforts will contribute to reducing the circular debt and improving the overall efficiency and sustainability of Pakistan’s power infrastructure.
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