ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif directed the power Aminister and Power Division secretary to coordinate with the provinces for curbing electricity theft, improving performance of power distribution companies (Discos) and streamlining other matters of the sector.
Presiding over a meeting called to review the power ministry matters, he expressed the government’s resolve to stop electricity theft, reduce line losses and improve power distribution system across the country. He said that recently the government had appointed new board chairmen and members to five power distribution companies through a transparent process and expressed the hope that it would further improve the performance of Discos.
“A whole of the government approach should be adopted to curb power theft across the country,” the PM said and directed the provincial governments to maintain police force and tehsildars as per the requirement of Discos.
He also ordered the authorities concerned to deal with corrupt elements in the power distribution companies with an iron hand and take strict action against them. He directed Discos to make the kutchehri system more effective and result-oriented for addressing the public complaints. PM Shehbaz said the steering committee formed to shift agriculture tube-wells to solar energy in Balochistan should be convened immediately.
The meeting was informed that the standard operating procedures (SOPs) regarding the transfer of agricultural tube-wells in Balochistan to solar energy had been notified to the steering committee. The meeting was further informed that a package was being prepared for officers who had shown good performance.
The meeting was attended by Minister for Planning Ahsan Iqbal, Minister for Economic Affairs Ahad Khan Cheema, Minister for Power Awais Khan Leghari and officers of the relevant ministries and divisions.
Separately, Senior Minister Punjab Marriyum Aurangzeb told a press conference the largest relief package in Pakistan’s history had been announced by Nawaz Sharif, under which Rs45 billion would be provided in relief to electricity consumers using between 201 to 500 units. The Punjab government would fund the relief from its budget, reducing the electricity cost by Rs14 per unit in August and September months, she added.
She criticised certain elements for spreading propaganda and opposing the relief package, accusing them of attempting to create discord among the provinces.
