Khyber Pakhtunkhwa’s electricity theft reaches an alarming Rs120b

PESHAWAR: A comprehensive forensic audit revealed alarming details regarding electricity theft in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa, Hum Investigation Team (HIT) has learnt.

According to details available, the northwestern province is suffering losses estimated at a staggering Rs120 billion.

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The report was commissioned by the Peshawar Electric Supply Company (PESCO). It details the extensive nature of electricity theft throughout the province, particularly in more isolated regions.

The audio indicates that a substantial portion of the theft, amounting to Rs98 billion, occurred in remote areas, which has historically struggled with power supply issues.

These remote regions are particularly susceptible to illegal connections and unauthorised electricity usage.

The report further details that the Warsak Dam area alone accounted for Rs7.43 billion in stolen electricity, while another Rs7.5 billion was reported in the Shabqadar locality.

The findings point to a significant failure in the enforcement of regulations aimed at curbing electricity theft. Despite efforts of police specifically assigned for PESCO, which included an expenditure of Rs49 million on operations to combat theft, the total recovery was only Rs230 million. Meanwhile, PESCO police costs the department more than Rs88 million annually.

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This raises some alarming questions about the efficiency  of current enforcement strategies and the capacity of law enforcement agencies to address the issue effectively.

The audit also revealed that a total of Rs8.017 billion units of electricity has been pilfered in Khyber Pakhtunkhwa. The figure not reveals the magnitude of the problem but underling issues, both with lack of law enforcement and public attitude. It also puts undue burden on the already-struggling energy sector of the country.

The report further uncovered the theft of cash and equipment valued at Rs45 million, exacerbating the power company’s financial losses.

The audit suggests that internal collusion may be a ‘significant factor’ contributing to the widespread theft, with allegations that PESCO employees are involved in facilitating illegal activities.

The report noted that 1,700 inquiries have been launched against some PESCO employees suspected of participating in electricity theft.

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Electricity theft is a huge issue within Pakistan, with some experts estimating that the country loses around Rs100 billion to Rs200 billion annually. This accounts for an estimated 20 to 30 per cent of total electricity losses in the country.