Plan on anvil to reduce electricity tariff: power minister

FAISALABAD: Federal Minister of Energy Sardar Awais Ahmad Khan Leghari has said that the cost of electricity production will be reduced as an action plan in this regard is being prepared by introducing reliable reforms to the power sector and minimising line losses.

"An action plan is on the anvil to introduce reliable reforms to the power sector to minimise line losses, bring down the cost of production and pass its benefits on to consumers," the minister told a meeting at the office of Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO).

Leghari's remarks come after Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif last week reiterated the government's resolve to tackle power issues, including the prevention of power pilferage, reducing line losses, and improving the power distribution companies (Discos) across the country.

The PM on August 18 directed the minister and secretary of the power division to coordinate with the provinces concerning halting electricity theft, performance of Discos and other matters of the sector.

During the meeting, Leghari stated that, under the prime minister's special directives, the electricity theft crisis had been reined in through revolutionary reforms, and hoped that pilferage would soon be reduced by an additional 40%.

Terming power theft as a major shock to the national economy, Leghari noted that the government had taken bold steps to address this issue.

He also told the meeting that apolitical and independent members had been appointed to the Boards of Directors (BODs) of distribution companies (Discos) to combat power theft and enhance consumer services.

Leghari added that Discos had been granted autonomy to deal with electricity theft, with impartial actions to be taken against violators.

Lauding the performance of FESCO, he emphasised that power theft had been plaguing the whole country issue and that the government was committed to controlling it with an iron head.

The minister directed FESCO officers and staff to diligently work towards eliminating power pilferage permanently and sustainably, as well as ensuring recoveries.

"Electricity consumers have been granted a relief of Rs45 billion in collaboration with the Punjab government to help ease bill payments," Leghari said, while urging FESCO officers to maximise facilities for consumers.

Earlier, Engineer Muhammad Amir, CEO of FESCO, presented the company's overall performance, revealing that over 11,000 cases of power theft had been detected since September 2023, with 8,300 individuals apprehended.

Amir also reported that five FESCO employees had been arrested and 27 others suspended pending inquiries, adding, while fines amounting to 27.16 million units, valued at Rs.847.88 million, had also been imposed on power pilferers.

The meeting was also attended by Federal Secretary for Energy Dr Muhammad Fakhar Alam Irfan, Chairman PPMC Saqib Jamal, Chairman FECO BoD Umar Farooq, and board members Amir Zia and Mohtarma Zoi Khursheed Khan.