Interior Minister orders power companies to stop overbilling

April 18, 2024 (MLN): Considering the existing burden of high electricity charges on the public due to high tariffs, Interior Minister Mohsin Naqvi has warned all power distribution companies nationwide, urging them to refrain from overbilling to protect the rights of consumers.

As per a statement issued by the Minister, Lahore Electric Supply Company (Lesco) has charged consumers in the city and its surrounding areas for 830 million units more electricity than they actually used last year.

He highlighted with disappointment that even consumers who used as little as 300 units of electricity were also victims of overbilling.

To take quick action on these illicit activities, the Minister directed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to launch an immediate crackdown.

He laid significant emphasis on Balochistan and Khyber Pakhtunkhwa and tasked FIA to eliminate power theft, which he identified as another loss to the nation.

The Deputy Chief of Jamaat-e-Islami Naib Emir Liaquat Baloch has called for an audit investigation of these distribution companies to gather insights regarding these high overpriced bills.

He said that despite the government raising power tariffs repeatedly, the circular debt of Distribution companies is still at an all-time high, and rising further.

In a recent news conference, Minister for Power Awais Ahmed Khan Leghari ensured that the government would take strict action against individuals involved in power theft.

The Minister said that the government has prepared a comprehensive roadmap for reforms in the power sector to overcome inefficiencies.

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