Govt decides to implement smart meters project

ISLAMABAD: Prime Minister Shahbaz Sharif chaired a review meeting to address the issue of electricity theft and underscored the need to establish a robust system to tackle this problem.

Emphasizing the detrimental impact of electricity theft on the country’s economy, he directed immediate disciplinary action against officers involved in such malpractices.

PM Shahbaz emphasized the importance of implementing initiatives like anti-electricity theft campaigns and expediting programmes aimed at reducing line losses and upgrading transmission lines. He also instructed the preparation of a comprehensive plan for solarizing tube wells in Balochistan.

During the meeting, it was decided to kick-start the implementation of the smart meters project on transformers under the Public Sector Development Programme. Additionally, monitoring meters will be installed on feeders with higher losses to curb electricity theft effectively.

The meeting highlighted the recent amendments to Section 462 (O) of the Pakistan Penal Code, making electricity theft a punishable offense. It was reported that the anti-electricity theft campaign launched in September last year has led to a significant reduction in theft rates, with a recovery of Rs57 billion made thus far.

Read more: Over Rs75 billion recovered in crackdown against electricity theft

Furthermore, the meeting was told that 45,777 arrests were made in Punjab, 1250 in Sindh, 5121 in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, and 181 in Balochistan as part of the campaign against electricity theft. Additionally, 350 employees of distribution companies were suspended due to inefficiency or facilitation of theft.

It was decided that task forces at divisional and district administration levels will be rewarded for their performance in preventing electricity theft.

The meeting was attended by federal ministers for power, economic affairs, law and justice, industry and production, information and broadcasting and petroleum, along with relevant senior government officials.