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Good news for Electricity users: Power prices reduced across Pakistan

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Good news for Electricity users: Power prices reduced across Pakistan

Islamabad: There’s some great news for electricity users across Pakistan! The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (NEPRA) has approved a reduction in power prices, which will bring financial relief to millions of people. NEPRA has approved a Rs 1.89 per unit cut in electricity prices under the quarterly adjustment for April to June 2025. This … Read more

PM Shehbaz approves ‘Apna Meter Apni Reading’ app to replace meter readers in power Discos

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PM Shehbaz approves 'Apna Meter Apni Reading' app to replace meter readers in power Discos

ISLAMABAD: In a significant move to curb overbilling and enhance transparency, Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has approved the phased removal of meter readers from power distribution companies (Discos) across Pakistan, excluding KE’s service area. Currently, meter readers photograph consumers’ electricity meters, with data sent to the Power Information Technology Company (PITC) for billing. However, this … Read more

PM orders strict action against officers involved in overbilling

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PM

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif said that the overbilling was unacceptable and strict action would be taken against officers involved in such practices

The prime minister chaired a review meeting on the performance of Electricity Distribution Companies (DISCOs). The deliberations centered on the affairs of Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO) and Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).

During the meeting, prime minister said directed to complete the installation of smart meters as soon as possible to ensure transparency in the billing system and called for concrete steps to prevent electricity theft.

He expressed concern over the delay in the appointment process of Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of the distribution companies and directed for ensuring CEOs’ appointments through a highly transparent process and asked for its completion at the earliest.

Recruitment of workforce in distribution companies should be merit-based, with no compromise on transparency, he further added.

The prime minister said that all the available resources should be utilized to meet the targets of NEPRA.

The meeting was given a detailed briefing on the achievement of targets which included recovery rates (up to November of FY 2024-25): LESCO: 96.82 percent, PESCO: 87.98 percent and FESCO: 97.57 percent.

Transmission and distribution losses (up to November of FY 2024-25) in these companies remained at: LESCO: 13.04 percent, PESCO: 33 percent and FESCO: 6.01 percent.

LESCO, PESCO and FESCO offered consumers’ facilities for complaint resolution and other services via call centers, emails, websites, interactive voice response (IVR) systems, and NEPRA’s mobile and web services.

Moreover, free access to the 118 helpline from all mobile operators was being ensured for complaints related to electricity transmission, it was further added.

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Nepra approves Rs 1.96 per unit tariff adjustment for Discos, KE

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NEPRA decreases electricity tariffs

The National Electric Power Regulatory Authority (Nepra) has approved a tariff adjustment of Rs 1.96 per unit for the first quarter of FY 2024-25. This adjustment, which affects Distribution Companies (Discos) and K-Electric, aims to recover an additional Rs 1.187 billion and will be billed to consumers in December 2024. A hearing on November 20, … Read more

Pakistan faces increase in electricity shortage to 5,500 MW

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Govt agrees to pay Rs 72bn to five IPPs in final agreement

ISLAMABAD: A prolonged power outage has crippled Pakistan as the electricity shortfall reached 5,500 megawatts, according to reports on Sunday, citing sources. Major cities are experiencing up to six hours of load shedding, while rural areas face up to eight hours. In regions with high line losses, load shedding extends to 12 to 14 hours. … Read more

Govt decides to depute FIA officers in power distribution companies

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FIA

ISLAMABAD: The federal government has decided to appoint Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) and intelligence officers in electricity distribution companies.

The Prime Minister has issued instructions to appoint FIA and Intelligence officers to the Power Division.

It has been directed to appoint permanent Deputy Director FIA in electricity distribution companies while it has been decided to remove directors appointed on political grounds in the board of electricity companies.

The FIA ​​Deputy Director will prepare the case against the corrupt officers of the distribution companies while the Additional Director General will coordinate and monitor at the FIA ​​HQ level.

The Power Division has started action on the orders after which the cordon has tightened against the corrupt officers.

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Govt chalks out concrete road-map for reforms in power sector: Leghari

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ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Division Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari said that on the directives of Prime Minister, a concrete road-map had been chalked out bring comprehensive reforms in country’s power sector to control power pilferage, over-billing and circular debt.

Addressing a pressing conference, he said after assuming charge of the ministry, short comings of the power sectors were reviewed to address chronic issues permanently.

The government was committed to bringing improvement in the energy sector, he added. He reiterated that no leniency would be given to the power pilferers irrespective of their status and position adding that over-billing would also not be tolerated at any cost. Solid strategy had also been devised to eliminate menace of power theft in the country, he said.

The minister said lower-middle class had been suffering from the power theft and we had to rectify existing shortcomings in the power system. He went on to say that accumulative loss of power distribution companies (DISCOs) would surge to Rs 560 billion by June. Electricity units worth over Rs 300 billion were consumed by the power pilferers, he added.

He said it was the need to hour to deal such power pilferers and officials involved in this illegal practices strictly. The country could not afford such misappropriation of billions of rupees to the economy, he added. He vowed not sparing even higher officials such as XENs, SDOs, Chief Engineers involved in patronage of power pilferage. He claimed that around 20 per cent officials of power sector were involved in this dirty practice.

Awais said that all CEOs had already been directed to remove ‘kunda’ before April 23 failing which strict action would be taken against the responsible officials.

The minister appreciated the support of Interior ministry and FIA for supporting the DISCOs to eliminate power theft.

Replying to a question, he said that solar panels having 6800 megawatts capacity were imported in current year adding that mostly the people were shifting on off grid.

In winter season, incentive package would have to introduce to increase power demands to meet capacity payment demand, he added.

To another question, the minister said that the circular debt was around Rs 2400 to Rs 2500 billion and out of which Rs 1900 billion was under the head of recovery.

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Awais Leghari gives April 23 deadline to curb power pilferage

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Awais Leghari

ISLAMABAD: Minister for Power Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has given April 23 as deadline to all Chairmen, Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Power Distribution Companies (DISCOs) to curb power pilferage completely.

Terming the current efforts to curb menace of power pilferage insufficient, the minister directed strict action against power thieves. The data did not match to the actual damages of power theft, he said.

He said the incumbent government has zero tolerance about power pilferage and committed to rooting out the power theft menace. He said all the concerned officers should trace all the sources of electricity pilferage and addressed them. SEs, XENs

SDOs and concerned field staff have to give certificate of no theft in their respective areas, the minister said. He said all CEOs would verify these certificates and submit them to the ministry. These performance would be reviewed on weekly basis and no leniency would not be tolerated, he said.

Awais said legal, disciplinary action would also be taken against the officials for inconsistency or conflicting evidence. Amendments would also be brought in the laws severely punish the officials involved in electricity theft, he said.

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Awais Leghari vows to combat electricity theft

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Awais Leghari

ISLAMABAD: Federal Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Leghari expressed his unwavering resolve to combat electricity theft across all DISCOS.

Addressing the Chairmen and Chief Executive Officers (CEOs) of Power Distribution Companies (Discos) via video link, he underscored the urgent need to address electricity theft.

During the event, the discussion primarily focused on combating electricity theft, which the Minister described as a form of economic terrorism severely impacting the country’s economy.

He urged Discos officials to harness technology and innovation in their endeavors to eradicate power theft, aiming to minimize indiscriminate power outages, particularly affecting consumers who diligently pay their bills.

Leghari called for the removal of all obstacles hindering efforts to prevent electricity theft and warned that employees and officers involved in such illegal activities would face firm and decisive action.

He reiterated that there would be no political interference in the campaign against electricity theft, emphasizing decisions based on merit for a transparent and impartial approach.

The Minister instructed all Discos to establish modern customer service centers nationwide and appoint competent officers to ensure the timely resolution of customer complaints.

He stressed the importance of kindness towards consumers and emphasized a policy where the “customer is always right.”

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NEPRA seeks to raise Rs967 billion more from electricity customers

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NEPRA electricity charges

NEPRA announced it would review requests from electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) for a substantial revenue increase totaling Rs967 billion from consumers. The decision responds to financial strains outlined by six DISCOs for the upcoming fiscal year. GEPCO tops the list with a request for Rs376 billion, followed by MEPCO at Rs160 billion. FESCO seeks Rs236 … Read more

Inquiry Committee formed to probe DISCOs overbilling scandal

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DISCOs
  • Power Division issued notification for formation of committee.
  • Former Secretary of Power Division Irfan Ali will head committee.
  • Committee will review NEPRA report based on DISCOs and PITC data.

ISLAMABAD:  The power division constituted a four-member inquiry committee to probe the controversial power theft drive of the power distribution companies (DISCOs) defrauding of billions of rupees through overbilling.

The notification for the formation of the committee has been issued by the Power Division.

According to the notification, former Secretary of Power Division Irfan Ali will head the committee. Terms of Reference (TORs) of the committee were also issued by the Power Division.

The committee will review the National Electric Power Regulatory Authority(NEPRA) report based on DISCOS and PITC data. The sampling procedure for the NEPRA investigation will also be reviewed, and the issue of billing to electricity consumers for more than one month, the officers of the electricity companies and NEPRA’s investigation team will also be questioned.

The committee will formulate its recommendations within 15 days.

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Power theft: Govt appoints FIA officers in distribution companies

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Power theft
  • The notification of appointment of three officers issued.
  • FIA Deputy Director Saad Ullah Khan posted to PESCO.
  • Officers will help to end power theft and increase recovery.

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker government has appointed Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) officers in electricity distribution companies (DISCOs) to end power theft and break the nexus of distribution company officers.

The notification of the appointment of three officers of the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) has also been issued according to which these officers have been appointed in Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO), Sukkur Electric Power Company (SEPCO), and Hyderabad Electric Supply Company(HESCO).

According to the notification, FIA Deputy Director Saadullah Khan has been posted to PESCO, Deputy Director Sufi Abdul Hafeez Chachar to SEPCO, and Acting Director Muzamal Ahmad Jatoi to HESCO.

The notification states that FIA officers will help in stopping electricity theft and increase recovery, these officers will also work to break the nexus of electricity thieves and employees in electricity companies.

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Caretaker Govt decides to handover DISCOs to provinces

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DISCOs
  • Centre decided to end uniform tariff of electricity in country.
  • HESCO and SEPCO companies under ownership of Sindh.
  • Quetta Electric Company will be given to Balochistan.

ISLAMABAD: The caretaker federal government has decided to abolish the current system of sale, distribution, and tariff of electricity.

It has been approved to send the summary of ownership of power distribution companies(DISCOs) to the provinces to the federal cabinet.

According to the document, the federal government has decided to end the uniform tariff of electricity across the country, and transfer the responsibility of electricity rates and subsidies to the provinces.

The document states that it was decided to give Hyderabad and Sukkur Electric Supply Company under the ownership of Sindh while Quetta Electric Company will be given under the ownership of Balochistan.

It is stated in the document that the ownership of Lahore, Gujranwala, Faisalabad, and Multan Electric Supply has been decided to be given to Punjab, while the ownership of Islamabad Electric Supply Company will be jointly owned by Punjab and the Federation.

According to the document, it was decided to give Peshawar and Tribal Area Electric Supply Company the ownership of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa.

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CCP takes action against Pesco for abusing its dominant position

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Pesco

ISLAMABAD: The Competition Commission of Pakistan (CCP) has taken action against Peshawar Electric Supply Company (Pesco) for abusing its dominant position and requiring it to restore right of way (ROW) to cable, internet, and telephony service providers. The Pesco was dominant in the market for ROW through electric poles availed by different types of cable … Read more

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