PESHAWAR, Feb 9: The Peshawar Electricity Supply Company (Pesco) lodged cases against six shopkeepers of Karkhano market on the charge of electricity pilferage here on Sunday.

A Pesco surveillance team conducted raids at Malik Taj Shopping Plaza in the main Karkhano market on Sunday and found six shopkeepers involved in electricity pilferage.

Apart from registering cases, Pesco has also initiated a process to fine the culprits.

According to a Pesco press release, in another raid a domestic consumer was found involved in electricity theft in the Khamosh Colony here on Sunday. A case was lodged against the culprit and a ‘deduction bill’ was issued to him to make him pay the fine amount for misusing the facility.

The press release claimed that during the last one week, the Pesco staff had uncovered 40 consumers involved in electricity pilferage and instituted cases against them.

It added that the Pesco chief, Brigadier Tahir Saeed, had directed the authorities concerned to speed up the campaign against those involved in electricity theft.

He warned the Pesco staff that if any one of them found involved in the illegal practice, he too, would not be spared and such elements, he added, would not find any room in the Pesco.

“Pesco staff involved in electricity theft would be terminated from service,” the press release quoting the Pesco chief as saying.