PR No. 186 Islamabad: November 30, 2018

Prime Minister Imran Khan today chaired a meeting to discuss issues related to power sector especially the progress made so far towards country-wide crackdown against power theft and the way forward to curtain losses in the power sector. The meeting was attended by Minister for Power Mr. Omar Ayub, Chief Minister Khyber Pakhtunkhwa Mr. Mahmood Khan, Secretary Power Mr. Irfan Ali, Home Secretary KP Mr. Ikram Ullah, Head of Energy Task Force Mr. Nadeem Babar and other senior officials. Secretary Power Division informed the Prime Minister that Power Division in coordination with the provincial task-forces is actively carrying forward the campaign against power theft/pilferage in all the provinces. He informed the Prime Minister that besides taking strict action against elements involved in power pilferage, action was also being taken against those employees who had facilitated power theft. Secretary Power informed that recently a gang has been busted in LESCO and Faisalabad region which was involved in facilitating power pilferage by tampering electricity meters through software. The meeting also discussed, in detail, the issue of power theft and low recoveries in the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The Prime Minister was informed that out of total losses of the province of Khyber Pakhtunkhw, major losses were being incurred in PESCO region. While expressing serious concern over the quantum of power theft, the Prime Minister stated that it was unacceptable that those who were regularly pay their dues have to face inconvenience of load-shedding because of the theft by some elements. The Prime Minister directed CM Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and Power Minister to hold a press conference to highlight the issue before the public and garner their support towards Government’s crackdown against power theft. It was decided during the meeting to expedite installation of electricity meters in the areas where electricity was being used through direct connections (kunda-system). Minister for Power also briefed the Prime Minister about the progress being made in other parts of the country. He informed that Prime Minister that due to hectic efforts of the Power division, power losses and recovery situation has started witnessing improvement. *** ?

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