Officials charging excess units in electricity bills should be suspended: PM Shehbaz

WEB DESK: Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif has declared his intention to crack down on officials responsible for overcharging consumers in electricity bills, as reported by Radio Pakistan.

During a meeting held today in Islamabad, attended by key figures including Minister for Power Sardar Awais Ahmed Legahri and Minister for Information and Broadcasting Attaullah Tarar, the Prime Minister emphasized zero tolerance for such malpractices.

He instructed the Federal Investigation Agency (FIA) to swiftly identify and suspend culpable officials, stressing that their actions are detrimental to public interests.

Addressing concerns over the escalating circular debt in the power sector, which had soared to Rs2,655 billion by May 2024, the Cabinet Committee on Energy (CCoE) convened yesterday under the leadership of Prime Minister Shehbaz Sharif.

The committee approved the establishment of a dedicated support unit aimed at enhancing operational efficiencies within electricity distribution companies. This initiative seeks to curb electricity theft, ensure timely bill collections, and improve overall service delivery.

The proposed support unit for DISCOs is slated to operate initially under the Multan Electric Power Company (MEPCO), pending formal endorsement from the federal cabinet.

Its mandate spans a two-year term and underscores the government’s commitment to address systemic challenges within the energy sector.

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