Over Rs 438 billion was lost to the national coffers as a result of power theft in DISCOs.

Sources claim that out of the total yearly billing of Rs 723 billion, the losses shot up to almost Rs 438 billion.

The Power Division, according to sources, has identified the lowest-performing DISCOs as the corporations that supply power to Hyderabad, Sukkur, Peshawar, Quetta, and tribal areas.

Asserting that electricity distribution corporations are burdening the provincial exchequer, the Punjab Energy Department accused the government institutions of being overcharged on April 7.

The Punjab Energy Department allegedly claimed that the following companies were overcharging government departments: Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO), Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).

More than 102,000 power connections are found in government agencies around the province, it was mentioned.It continued, saying, “The provincial departments consumed electricity worth over Rs 1.91 billion in the financial year 2022–2023 but had to pay Rs 76 billion.”

To put an end to power theft, it is important to note that the federal government “okayed” the deputation of Federal Investigation Officers (FIA) officers to electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).

As requested by the International Monetary Fund (IMF), the action was conducted to put an end to power theft and improve recovery.

The Power Division has received a letter concerning the deputation of FIA officers in five DISCOs, namely the Islamabad Electric Supply Company, Faisalabad, Gujranwala, Tribal Areas, and Quetta Electric Supply Companies.

Remember that FIA officers have already been assigned to the Hyderabad Electric Supply Company, Sukkur Electricity Company, and Peshawar Electric Company.