Power consumers overcharged Rs244 billion in bills, audit exposes DISCOs

ISLAMABAD: A government audit has uncovered large-scale overbilling and financial misconduct by eight power distribution companies, adding further strain on electricity consumers already weighed down by inflation, high tariffs and shrinking incomes. 

The report by the Auditor General of Pakistan reveals that these companies charged consumers an extra Rs244 billion, allegedly to hide system losses, poor performance and electricity theft. 

The companies named in the report include Islamabad Electric Supply Company (Iesco), Lahore (Lesco), Hyderabad (Hesco), Multan (Mepco), Peshawar (Pesco), Quetta (Qesco), Sukkur (Sepco) and the Tribal Areas Electric Supply Company (Tesco). 

According to the audit, five of these companies alone overbilled nearly 279,000 consumers by Rs47.81 billion in just one month. 

In total, more than 900 million extra electricity units were billed to consumers during the 2023–24 financial year. No disciplinary action has been reported against the officials involved. 

In some cases, the companies claimed to have refunded large sums to consumers. However, the audit noted that no documentary proof was provided, and authorities have asked for the relevant records. 

Another Rs22 billion was reportedly overbilled under the pretext of “adjusting load” to cover technical losses. 

Qesco emerged as the worst offender. It overbilled agricultural consumers by Rs148 billion, allegedly inflating tube well charges to conceal inefficiencies. 

The report also found that 1,432 feeders were used across the companies to issue inflated bills amounting to Rs18.64 billion. Despite repeated requests, audit teams were not given access to key billing records. 

While some refunds were made — including Rs5.29 billion for incorrect meter readings and Rs2.18 billion in credit adjustments by Pesco — the overall financial burden on consumers remains alarming. 

The Auditor General’s office has now asked all eight companies to explain their actions. 

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