PM Shehbaz calls for strict action at every level to eliminate electricity theft

Islamabad (Web Desk): Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has directed authorities to accelerate the nationwide installation of smart electricity meters, describing the initiative as vital for reducing power theft and improving the efficiency of the country's electricity distribution system.

Chairing a meeting on Power Division affairs in Islamabad, the prime minister emphasized that electricity theft must be eliminated through strict action at every level.

He said effective enforcement and improved monitoring were essential to strengthening the power sector and minimizing financial losses.

Shehbaz Sharif also instructed officials to prepare village-level solarization projects to provide sustainable energy solutions and reduce load shedding in rural communities.

He said expanding solar power in villages would help improve electricity access while easing pressure on the national grid.

The prime minister further ordered a comprehensive technical audit of the billing systems used by electricity distribution companies (DISCOs).

He directed officials to introduce time-bound key performance indicators (KPIs) to regularly assess the efficiency and performance of the power distribution companies.

To encourage better performance, Shehbaz Sharif announced that the country's best-performing electricity distribution company would receive a national award in recognition of its achievements.

During the meeting, officials briefed the prime minister on the performance of electricity distribution companies, noting that both technical and commercial losses had been steadily declining.

The briefing revealed that the Islamabad Electric Supply Company (IESCO), Lahore Electric Supply Company (LESCO), and Gujranwala Electric Power Company (GEPCO) recorded the lowest transmission and distribution losses during the last fiscal year.

Officials also informed the meeting that during fiscal year 2025-26, IESCO, LESCO, GEPCO, Faisalabad Electric Supply Company (FESCO), and Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO) achieved a 100 percent recovery rate of outstanding dues.

The meeting was told that DISCO Support Units had been established in Hyderabad, Sukkur, Lahore, Multan, and Hazara to strengthen efforts against electricity theft, improve bill recoveries, and resolve technical issues more efficiently.

The briefing further stated that the first phase of the Asset Performance Management System at the transformer level is scheduled for completion by September 30.

The system is expected to enhance transformer monitoring, reduce electricity theft, and help minimize load shedding.

Officials also informed the prime minister that a proposal is under consideration to install 16.2 million single-phase Advanced Metering Infrastructure (AMI) meters across the Multan, Lahore, Peshawar, Hazara, and Quetta regions, a move aimed at modernizing the country's electricity distribution network and improving operational efficiency.