In a startling revelation, several government institutions have emerged with unpaid electricity bills amounting to a staggering Rs 71.16 billion, as reported on Sunday.
According to the spokesperson of the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (iESCO), the Azad Kashmir government leads the list with outstanding electricity bills totaling Rs 54.86 billion. This substantial figure underscores a significant financial burden on the region’s utilities.
Among the notable entities included in the list of unpaid dues is the Capital Development Authority (CDA), which holds outstanding dues of Rs 4.63 billion.
Additionally, the Pakistan Secretariat and Cabinet Secretariat are reported to owe Rs 1.65 billion and Rs 11.6 million, respectively, in unpaid electricity bills.
Furthermore, federal government-run hospitals and the Ministry of Home Affairs have also been highlighted for their failure to fulfill their financial obligations in terms of electricity bills.
The hospitals are reported to owe a combined total of Rs 279 million, while the Ministry of Home Affairs is listed with outstanding dues amounting to Rs 14.3 million.
The scope of financial obligations extends to various other government entities, each with significant sums in unpaid electricity bills.
The Railways, for instance, has outstanding dues of Rs 295 million, while the Punjab Police’s unpaid bills amount to Rs 13.50 million.
Similarly, Parliament Lodges find themselves with a substantial debt of Rs 118 million in unpaid electricity bills.
The revelation of such large-scale unpaid dues highlights systemic issues within government institutions regarding financial management and accountability.
It raises concerns about the effectiveness of financial oversight mechanisms and the need for improved fiscal discipline to ensure the timely payment of essential utilities such as electricity.
Addressing these outstanding dues is crucial to maintaining the financial health and sustainability of both government institutions and utility providers.
